Built high on a spur of rock dominating the plain, Verucchio can be plainly seen for miles around. It rivals Pennabili in its claim to be the “cradle of the Malatestas” and traces of its glorious past can clearly be seen, especially in the historic centre where there are noble palazzi and old churches. The village is dominated by the fortress where, every year, interesting exhibitions, fairs and theatrics take place. Testimony of an important more ancient past can be found in the Archaeological Park and the Villanovian Museum where a splendid Etruscan throne can be admired.

The original name of Torriana was Scorticata (also the name of the traditional fair celebrating the local wine and cuisine) which means ‘scratched and scraped’, well expressing the idea of this little village clinging to the high bare rock. The Malatestas built a fortress here to guard the ‘Via Maior’, the old road which wound its way up the Marecchia Valley to Tuscany. The tiny village of Montebello is an authentic historic gem with a castle and a bundle of legends belonging to it.

On the other hand, agriculture is the order of the day in Maiolo, the second smallest municipality in the valley, famous in past times for its bread. In fact, in June there is a traditional fair dedicated to this traditional product.  Pennabili is situated in the upper Marecchia valley and occupies a third of the territory assigned to the Natural Park of Sasso Simone and Simoncello. It is the chosen residence of Tonino Guerra, a poet and writer who has created a kind of open-air museum around the historic and artistic remains of two old castles, one in Billi, on the top of the cliff and the other in Penna on the Roccione (Great Rock).

The ruins of two castles are preserved at the two ends of the village of Villagrande: the well-known and main castle of Montecopiolo and the small castle of Monte Acuto (today Monte San Marco).
The castle of Montecopiolo, with its significant ruins surrounded by the greenery of conifers, still provides important data for archaeological research, in addition to splendid views. Also in the municipal area are the ruins of the small castle of Monte Boaggine.

Going still further up river you arrive at Casteldeci, a place without a single factory, where the level of pollution is zero and the surrounding countryside unspoiled. Sant’Agata Feltria, with its monumental castle is the last place in the valley under the jurisdiction of Rimini. Apart from its beautiful countryside, this locality is well-known for its prized white truffles, an excellent product which is celebrated by a National Fair in October.