The Hinterland - The Conca Valley 
Behind the beaches of Romagna and the busy towns rich in memories of the past, lie stretches of rural countryside just waiting to be discovered.
The valleys that converge on the coast are full of splendid and stimulating landscapes. The Marecchia river opened a way to the sea along a gorge that becomes deeper and deeper the closer you come to the source.
This is a place of high mountains and dramatic landscapes - the Apennines.
The Conca valley on the other hand is different. Here nature worked with a lighter hand. The hills in this area are gently rolling, with slopes that are less steep.
Both valleys are criss-crossed by a crowded network of unpaved roads, paths and trails just waiting to lead nature lovers to fortresses, castles, country churches, monasteries and little country villages, signs of an ancient and industrious civilisation rich in history and traditions.
During your holiday by the sea, don't fail to dedicate some time to discovering the surrounding countryside. You'll find it well worthwhile!
Saludecio
Anyone visiting the first stretch of the Conca valley, only a few kilometres from the sea, will clearly make out the unmistakable profile of Saludecio, standing proudly on a hill, with its bell-towers, watch-towers and walls. The entrance to the town is through an ancient gate facing the sea; the harmony can be immediately felt of the town square, noble streets and passageways. A striking feature of the town is the elegance of its buildings and churches, a place that respects its past and fits in perfectly with the surrounding countryside. And anyone prepared to dedicate a little time to Saludecio, will discover a town with one of the richest array of cultural events of the entire Rimini area.
What to see: The Herb Garden - The Vegetable Garden - Salus Erbe (fair/market dedicated to herbs and staged in May) - Ottocento Festival in August - Palazzo Albini - Palazzo Marinucci - The Church of San Biagio - The Museum of Sacred Art - The Convent of San Girolamo - The Astronomical Observatory - The characteristic wall paintings.
Mondaino
Mondaino has a lot of surprises in store for visitors: there is a beautiful round square, a large rock from where splendid views can be obtained of the sea and mountains, while underneath the town are hidden trails about which mysterious stories are told. Then there are the narrow streets, the aristocratic buildings and a museum containing the fossil remains of animals that used to live in the area millions of years ago. As if this were not enough, there is a botanical park with very interesting specimens of Mediterranean plants and the go-ahead population, always ready to organise feasts, performances and cultural events.
What to see: The Malatesta Castle - The town walls and underground passages - The Palaeontological Museum - Piazza Maggiore - The Convent of the Poor Clares - The "Palio del Daino" in mid August - The experimental Arboretum of Mediterranean Plants - The Monastery of San Francesco.
Montegridolfo | (top)
Situated right on the border between Romagna and Marche on the line that divides the Conca Valley from the Foglia Valley, stands one of the best preserved villages of our hinterland: Montegridolfo. The pleasant countryside consists of gently rolling hills that stretch down to the plain. The layout of the village is very beautiful and all its buildings have been carefully restored with the idea of making Montegridolfo one of the most advanced and qualified tourist and relaxation centres of the entire Romagna countryside.
What to see: The Malatesta Castle - The Church of San Rocco - The Sanctuary of the Beata Vergine delle Grazie - The characteristic arched gate - The Pageant procession on Good Friday
Montefiore Conca | (top)
Visible from as far away as Cesenatico, on one of the highest hills of the Conca Valley, stands a mighty square-shaped giant fortress surrounded by a sea of greenery. This is the fortress of Montefiore, one of the most important towns in the Malatesta area. Its walls, churches and narrow streets harbour a wealth of precious works of art and the traditional potters' workshops. The town itself dominates the entire coast and in fact the sea is close by. The surrounding countryside is full of olive groves and oak trees, inviting visitors to take a stroll along centuries-old paths. Walking along the town's silent streets today, it is hard to imagine the authoritative and rich history of Montefiore. For a long time, this was perhaps the major centre of the Conca Valley and most definitely one of the most highly considered castles along the coast from a military, economic, religious and cultural viewpoint.
What to see: The Curina Gate - The Potter's Workshop - The Fortress - The Church of San Paolo - The Monastery of the Capuchin Monks - The Walls - The Sanctuary of the Madonna di Bonora - The Chestnut Festival in October - The Arts Season in July
Gemmano and the Onferno Caves | (top)
Gemmano's major legacy is most definitely the beauty and variety of its natural environment. This is perhaps the most unspoilt area of the entire province of Rimini and the features that distinguish it are in may ways extraordinary from both a scientific and natural viewpoint. The Onferno Caves, the valley of the Ventena, the ravines, the trails that pass through rural villages and the scenery make it a must visit for anyone wanting to learn more about this isolated hill land where time seems to have stood still. The Onferno Caves, the only natural caves of the Conca Valley, are a place rich in appeal, where ancient disquieting legends still thrive - in Italian Onferno (Inferno) means Hell. The caves were dug out by a fast-running river, which over the centuries sculpted the limestone rock on which stood Castum Inferi. Very limited in extension, the caves are highly suggestive and extremely interesting from a speleological viewpoint and in terms of the animals that live in them. In 1992, the Onferno area became a nature reserve. The caves can be easily visited and helmets with battery lights are provided.
What to see: The Caves - The Church of Santa Maria di Carbognano - The Ventena Valley
The Hinterland - The Marecchia Valley
Santarcangelo | (top)
Santarcangelo is a special town. Perhaps because it has both a popular and noble heart at the same time. Perhaps because its traditions continue to thrive, as do its monuments, mysterious caves, skilled craftsmen, country fairs, delicious cuisine and its people, who still tell stories sat in the shade of centuries-old narrow streets. The fact is that, though only a short distance from the coast, Santarcangelo has an atmosphere different from all other places.
What to see: The tufa caves - The Monastery of the Capuchin Monks - The Romanesque Parish Church - The Arch of Augustus - The Ethnographic Museum - Il Museo del gioco del Pallone a Bracciale e Tamburello (The Bracelet Ball and Tambourine game Museum) - The Marchi Artisan Cloth Printing Shop - Piazza Ganganelli - Santarcangelo of the Theatres in July.
Verucchio | (top)
Three thousand years ago, Verucchio was chosen as the ideal place to live by the Etruscans. The people of that period were attracted by its strategic position, its fertile soil, the wonderful views over the Marecchia Valley and the coast. Hence an extraordinarily refined civilisation thrived in Verucchio which has left numerous important testimonies, precious objects of great beauty and signs of a highly developed community. The Malatesta chose this place to build a mighty fortress and rich village. They elected Verucchio as their place of origin.
What to see: The Sasso Fortress - Piazza Malatesta - The Villanovian civilisation museum - The former Monastery of the Fathers of St. Augustine - The Art Gallery - The Collegiate - The Convent of the Poor Clares - The Springs of St. Francis - The Marecchia Park.
Torriana and Montebello | (top)
Torriana, like many other towns of the Marecchia valley, stands on a harsh spur of rock overlooking the plain of Romagna. Torriana is linked by a road to Montebello, a medieval village still much the same as it once was, where the streets, the houses, the silence and an elegant castle convey very special feelings. Visitors to the village of Montebello are travellers through time. Anyone standing on the wall that surrounds the village immediately realises that this is one of the most charming places in the Rimini area.
What to see: The castle of Montebello - The Sanctuary of the Madonna di Saiano - The old armoury (which now houses an elegant wine cellar) - The feast of Honey (in August) - The remains of the Montefeltro Tower, which stands over a precipice on a hill, with breathtaking views.
The Hinterland...and more
Pennabilli | (top)
This is a major centre of the Marecchia Valley, creating by the merger of two municipalities, two Townships: Penna and Billi, which stand on opposing spurs of rock and were enemies in the past. Some say this is where the Malatesta family originated. Interesting is the town centre and Diocese Museum, where precious works of sacred art from the surrounding area are housed. In the centre of the town is the Forgotten Fruit Garden, created by poet-screenwriter Tonino Guerra, as is the "Giardino dei Pensieri" (the Garden of Thoughts) and many other works to be found here and there around the town. In July, one of the area's major initiatives is staged - the National Antique Show. Of great importance and interest is the natural environment that surrounds the town, with lots of beautiful woodland and trails that climb up to Mount Carpegna.
San Leo | (top)
A massive rock with precipices on all sides in a landscape that declines from the Apennines to the sea; a mass of old houses crowded together between a might fortress and a watchful bell tower; the intertwining of history and legend, of sacred and profane, of horrid prisons and sedate parish churches - all this is San Leo. In the whirly confusion of conflicts between the Goths and Byzantines, Lombards and Franks, San Leo saw the importance of its impregnable fortress grow, to the extent that in 963 A.D. it became the capital of the Italic Kingdom and was besieged for months by Otto I, Emperor of Germany. The view visitors enjoy from the town is absolutely spectacular and stretches from Mount Fumaiolo as far as the Adriatic Sea over a landscape dotted with woods, rocky peaks, ravines, fortresses, villages and rural homes. The town centre is basically 17th century and well-preserved, with a unique monumental complex of a religious nature that makes San Leo a real "art city". The Parish church, Cathedral, Bell Tower and the Convent of Sant'Igne do in fact cover the entire Romanesque cycle.
San Marino | (top)
The Republic of San Marino is a small independent country completely surrounded by Italy. Renowned throughout the world, it needs little presentation. It was founded, so the legend goes, in 301 D.C. by Saint Marinus and is an extremely popular tourist destination. Walks through its narrow cobbled streets, full of characteristic shops, the beautiful scenic views and the pageantry of the State ceremonies are something no visitor should miss. The monuments, the fortresses, the buildings, the many museums and famous medieval festivals staged in July are all capable of kindling strong emotions.
What to see: The 3 Towers - The Basilica - The Wax Museum - The Art Gallery - The Torture and Weapons Museum- The Ancient Monastery.- The Crossbowmen's Quarry - The Philatelic-Numismatic Office - The Atomic Hourglass.
Gradara
Gradara stands like a green island among gently rolling hills, 142 metres above sea level. The coast is just 3 km away and the fragrance of the salt air can be clearly distinguished in town. This is a fairy-tale town of ancient origins, where legend and history come together to narrate the tragic love of Paolo and Francesca, sung by Dante, Petrarca, Boccaccio and D'Annunzio. Walking along the town's narrow streets, especially in the evening, or around the splendidly floodlit castle is a unique and romantic experience in which love, poetry and history blend together amid the magnificent scenery. At Gradara, culture means History and Art. From when the area was first inhabited to the present, not a century has passed that has not left a deep mark in history. Of major importance is the artistic heritage housed within the walls of the town, which counts numerous outstanding works. To this we should add the magnificent countryside, which is also recognised by the institutions and therefore carefully protected.
What to see: The Castle - The Town Walls
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