From Santarcangelo to Montebello, two hamlets in the lower Valmarecchia

The entire lower Marecchia Valley is a continuous discovery, a journey into the typical traditions of Romagna, which passes through its dishes and then goes on to tell an ancient story immersed in the splendour of luxuriant nature. Prestigious wines, typical products, hills overlooking the sea, fortresses, mills, craftsmen's workshops and sanctuaries are just some of the ingredients of this itinerary. Discover them with us.

It starts out from Santarcangelo, in the lower part of Valmarecchia, and then climbs up towards the hills and towards the first rocky crags which undoubtedly represent the most unique stretch of this territory.
We are in the land of the great wines Trebbiano and Sangiovese, but also Pagadebit and Cagnina, and the Romagna pasta that strongly marks much of the local gastronomy.

1 Stop

Santarcangelo is a very important town. Its entire historic center highlights a wealth that has developed over several centuries, and strolling through its streets you can feel the vitality that is distinguished in this small but fascinating town. There are many things to see.

Starting from the caves, which extend along the entire historic center, and then go up the streets of the "districts" to the clock tower, to discover the ancient access gates to the fortified hamlet (those of Campanone and Cervese) the little squares (noteworthy is that of the Nuns) and the Rocca (Fortress) This fortress, remodeled several times by the Malatesta family, is overlapped by various structures. Numerous interventions have transformed it into a noble residence still today owned by the Colonna princes. From the Rocca you go down again towards the village to visit the Collegiata church, in Piazza Balacchi.

In the main square, the one opposite the town hall there is the Triumphal Arch dedicated to Pope Ganganelli (Clement XIV), a native of Santarcangelo. Do not miss a visit to the Marchi workshop where the canvases are “rust”-printed according to ancient techniques, and the Ethnographic Museum where an important collection of objects is kept and which is also a center for the documentation of the peasant and popular culture of Romagna. Outside the town, the Pieve, a building dating back to the sixth century, still well preserved today, is worth a visit.

2 Stop 

From Santarcangelo continue on towards Poggio Berni, an ancient possession of the Berni family from Rimini but linked, like every other place in the surroundings, to the events of the Malatesta family. In this part of the countryside there were several fortified farms formerly called "Tombs": the beautiful complex of one of these farms is still visible today and corresponds to the current Palazzo Marcosanti which bears some evident signs of the Malatesta era. Also interesting in this area is the path of the ancient mills. From Poggio Berni you quickly go up to Torriana, the ancient Scorticata.

3 Stop 

Here there are traces of fortifications and two large towers on the cliff above the village. The view from the village on the lower Valmarecchia is remarkable. From Torriana a single road leads to Montebello, a perfectly preserved medieval hamlet, with a splendid fortress where there have been buildings from different eras overlapping and integrating with each other to create a complex structure. This hamlet was also a Malatesta possession but in 1463 it was given as a fief to the Guidi family of Bagno. They are the owners of the fortress still today. Visiting the inside provides certain surprises and from the outside of it you get a complete view over Valmarecchia, looking towards the mountains and the heart of Montefeltro.

4 Stop

Finally, dedicate half a day to a trek of medium difficulty, but one that will amaze you. Set out from Ponte Verucchio to reach the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Saiano, the spiritual heart of the Marecchia Valley.

Once you reach the summit you can really see the world. Below flows the Marecchia River and then the valley with all its splendid treasures.

The panorama is extraordinary and the silence is only broken by the sound of the wind. It is a popular destination for walkers, a place that also lends itself to those who love to climb, or come by bike or on horseback. You can go there in any season, but in spring and autumn the colours of nature are spectacular.