The itinerary of the mysteries the lands of the Malatesta and Montefeltro

The lands of the province of Rimini, the historic heartland of the historic Seignories of the Malatesta and Montefeltro, tell the story of centuries of greatness spanning the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
This is a journey through mystery, beauty and tradition where every corner reveals secrets and legends waiting to be discovered.

  • Duration: 2 - 3 days
  • Distance: 60 km
  • Transport: car

Allow yourself plenty of time for this itinerary: two or three days will enable you to enjoy it at your leisure and immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of these places.

First stop Rimini, a city with a thousand facets

Rimini is a city of a thousand facets, where history and mystery intertwine in a timeless embrace. Even if you think you already know it, prepare to discover a part of its history that transcends time.

  • The fascinating and mysterious Malatesta Temple is a masterpiece combining religious and pagan symbolism. While many mysteries surround this place, one thing is certain: the marvellous rectangular fresco depicting St Sigismund in prayer is the work of Piero della Francesca.

 

 

Second stop Santarcangelo di Romagna a village with a strong Romagna identity

This village, located at the beginning of the Marecchia Valley, guards an underground secret that fascinates anyone who immerses themselves in its mystery.

  • The Tufa Caves are an incredible maze of tunnels dug into tuff rock and extending beneath the historic centre. This hidden world tells stories of centuries past. 

Third stop Montebello is a small village. It is suspended in time.

Prepare to step into this small hamlet, where every stone tells tales of bygone eras, and where a castle shrouded in legend awaits you.

  • Montebello Castle is famous for the legend of Azzurrina, an albino girl who, according to tradition, died tragically in the castle one stormy night and disappeared into a mysterious ravine. Since then, her spirit has supposedly remained trapped within the castle walls, her wails echoing on the quietest of nights.

 

Fourth stop In Verucchio you can observe the world from above.

In Verucchio, history and mystery are intertwined, and from the top of its ancient fortress, you can enjoy an enchanting panorama.
As you wander through the narrow streets, you are invited to discover fragments of the past on a journey of true discovery.

  • The Archaeological Museum houses artefacts that reveal the story of a matriarchal society, trade with the East, funeral rituals, and the use of amber, shedding light on the origins of the Etruscans.
  • But the mystery doesn't end there. The majestic Rocca Malatestiana is steeped in legend and evokes the figure of Mastin Vecchio, the feared lord mentioned by Dante in the Divine Comedy. 

Fifth stop San Leo: where history meets mystery

The story is intertwined with the magic and mystery of the eerie Count Cagliostro, an alchemist who travelled among the courts of Europe before ending up a prisoner in the

  • Castle of San Leo. His mysterious death took place in a solitary cell which still seems to possess a strange energy today. 

Sixth stop Maiolo, in the heart of Valmarecchia

This itinerary concludes in Maiolo, where the remains of the picturesque Rocca di Maioletto can be found.

  • Rocca di Maioletto. According to popular tradition, an angelic dance unleashed divine wrath, leading to its ruin. Today, visitors are rewarded with a spectacular panorama stretching as far as the eye can see over the surrounding valley after a strenuous walk to reach the ruins, making the experience even more magical and unforgettable.

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