In the city, there are several green areas and it is possible to have a stroll in a quiet and healthy environment, even in the middle of the city centre.
Cesena is located in the middle of
Romagna, between
Forlì,
Ravenna, the Adriatic Sea and the Appennines. If the coast is famous in all the world, the inland areas are completely unknown to most people.
If you start exploring the city’s environs, you will find hidden natural and cultural treasures, all to be discovered. For this reason, we advise you to explore the neighbouring small villages and towns, rich of traditions, and enjoy the view of landscape and local architectural heritage, while tasting the food and wine products of the territory. For those who are more active, there are several itineraries for trekkers and bikers.
After leaving
Cesena and driving up the valley of Savio river, the first town you meet is
Mercato Saraceno, an important wine-producing and agricultural centre and then
Sarsina, the birthplace of
Plautus, the greatest ancient Roman comedy writer. The town of
Sarsina still preserves important ruins from the ancient Roman period and the Cathedral of Saint Vicinio is the destination of pilgrimages for the virtues of the Saint’s collar believed to keep the devil abade.
After a few kilometers by car, you reach
Bagno di Romagna, a famous baths resort and starting point for excursions into the "
National Park of Casentino Forests, Mount Falterona, and Campigna", one of the greatest natural reserves in Italy for the safeguarding of woodlands and forests. This Natural Park represents an important national flora and fauna heritage, where it is possible to watch wolves, eagles and other species of ungulates and predators.
If you decide to drive towards
Rimini, the first town you reach is
Gambettola, where it is still possible to observe the manufacturing of the traditional handmade printed cloth. A few kilometers from
Gambettola is the small village of
Gatteo, with the beaches of
Gatteo a Mare and
San Mauro Pascoli, the birthplace of the Italian poet
Giovanni Pascoli. In
San Mauro Pascoli you can visit the poet’s home now converted into the poet’s museum and the famous "
Villa Torlonia", mentioned in one of his famous lyrics.
In the Rubicone valley rises the village of
Longiano, an important historical centre famous for its
Castello Malatestiano (
Malatesta Fortress) and for intensive cultural life. After
Longiano, you can explore the town of
Montiano, interesting for its wine and food tradition and soon after the village of
Roncofreddo, with the
Rocca Malatestiana in
Sorrivoli.
PARKS AND PUBLIC GARDENS
Giardini di Serravalle
Mura Federico Comandini
Only by walk.
Giardini Pubblici
Via Verdi (you can reach the park by car or bike or by bus n.4)
Giardini Savelli
Viale Carducci (by car/bike or bus)
It is realized within the space of the city walls, it hosts an interesting collection of plants. In Summer, dramas and music concerts are held.
Parco Cesuola
Via Ponte Abbadesse-Via Padre Genocchi (only by walk or bike).
It’s located outside the city centre, near the
Cesuola stream.
Parco della Rimembranza
Entry from
viale Mazzoni or
via Malatesta Novello. Open from erly morning to the sunset. Access only by walk.
Parco Fornace Marzocchi
Via Cerchia delle Vigne-Via Antonio Manuzzi (by bike, on walk, or by bus 21)
A large green area outside the city centre, with ring path for bikes and footing. Gym equipments are also availble for self-training.
Parco "Iqbal Masih"
Via N. Casali-Via C.Barducci-Via madonna dello Schioppo (by bike or car).
The ideal park for footing.
"
Un Parco Per Fabio"
Via Savio (by car or bike or bus 13 and 93). A car park is opposite.
This park is suitable for sports team training thanks to its internal playground. There is also a wide path for footing.
THE ENVIRONS OF CESENA
Gambettola
Important centre for particular activities: the recycling of ferrous material and traditional hand-made cloth printing.
The antiques market "
Mostrascambio" is of particular interest, taking place on May and September;
Equally interesting is the well-know carnival celebrated on Easter’s monday, with the parade of carriages and costumes.
Useful information
From
Cesena: 8 kms
Market day: on thursdays
Municipio di Gambettola tel. 0547 45111; fax 0547-45222
Biblioteca Comunale tel. 0547 45338; fax 0547 45305
Savignano sul Rubicone
The
Rubiconia Accademia dei Filopatridi is of particular cultural interest; inside precious volumes and manuscripts are preserved.
The
Castello di Ribano, in the town outskirts, was built up on a hill during the 11th century and offers a breathtaking view.
On the coast, the Municipality manages a small and beautiful portion of the beach named
Savignano a mare; a well-equipped beach and fine sand welcome visitors looking for sun and relax.
Useful information
From
Cesena: 14 kms
Market day: on tuesdays
Municipio Savignano sul Rubicone tel. 0541 809611; fax 0541 941052
Biblioteca Comunale tel. 0541 944017
Rubiconia Accademia dei Filopatridi tel. 0541 945107
Longiano
Located among the soft hills of
Cesena and
Rimini outskirts is the town of
Longiano, recognized bu the European Union as the "ideal village" of 1992. Nowadays the town is culturally active and busy: numerous entrepreneural activities, cultural, artistic and theatrical initiatives.
Churches, palaces and squares have been brought back to their original beauty. To explore the town, enter the city historical "
borgo", surrounded by double walls, through one of its 3 medieval gates.
The town is overlooked by the massive
Castello Malatestiano, recently restored, hosting the
Fondazione Tito Balestra: more than 2,000 pieces of contemporary art by Italian and international artists. The courtyard of the Castle includes the Civic Tower and a marvellous Venetian-style fountain basin, evidence of the short Doges’ domination.
The Baroque Oratory of
San Giuseppe, the Museum of Sacred Art, the Collegiate Church of
San
Cristoforo are all worth visiting.
In the main square, rises the Shrine of the
SS. Crocifisso, destination of pilgrimage to the Holy Cross, painted on canvass and pasted to a 13th-century wooden plate from
Pisano-Giuntesca’s workshop.
Near here is the famous
Teatro Petrella, built in 1870, restored and given back to the town in its full beauty in 1986. This small Theatre offers the possibility of watching dramas, music and dance events of national importance.
Useful information
Market day: on fridays
Municipio di Longiano tel. 0547 665013; fax 0547 665860
Teatro Petrella tel. 0547 665113
Fondazione Balestra tel. 0547 665850
Museo dell' Arte Sacra tel. 0547 665013
Mercato Saraceno
This small town is named after
Saraceno degli Onesti, feudatory during
Dante’s times. Important trade centre from ancient times, the town can now boast a flourishing agricultural activity (especially its wine production). The town centre includes the
Piazza Mazzini, where the
Palazzo Municipale and the Church of
S. Maria Nuova overlook the square. Above,
Palazzo Dolcini, now a multi-use cultural centre. In the environs, the
Pieve (country church) of
SS. Cosma and
Damiano and of
Monte Sorbo are worth visiting.
Useful information
From
Cesena: 20 kms
Municipality:
Piazza Mazzini 50
Tel. 0547 91016; fax 0547 90141
urp@comune.mercatosaraceno.fc.it
http://www.comune.mercatosaraceno.fc.it/
Montiano
Montiano welcomes visitors as a lively town, with a flourishing economy based on farm and wine production.
Visitors can’t miss out the former Church of the
Crocifisso, now containing a cultural centre. Inside the Church preserves a precious "
Annunciazione", carried out in 1600 by
Giovanni Francesco Nagli, known as "
il Centino".
The 15th-century parish church of
Sant'Agata preserves an interesting wooden-carved crucifix from the second half of 1500 and a 16th-century altar-piece from local painter
Giovan Francesco Modigliani.
From the
Parco della Rimembranza, located in the town centre, visitors ahave a nice view on the
Romagna coastline.
Useful information
From
Cesena: 10 kms
Market day: on mondays
Municipio di Montiano: tel. 0547 51032; fax 0547 51160
Bagno di Romagna
During Florence’s domination, the historic documents tell us that the small village of
Bagno became a famous tourist and baths resort for numerous Tuscan noble families, including the Medici family.
Of high beauty is its square, overlooked by the Romanesque
Basilica of
Santa Maria Assunta and, not far from it, the
Palazzo dei Capitani. The façade of this Palace is decorated with the family emblems of te Captains or governors sent by the state-city of Florence to rule over the territory of the Valley; its narrow streets starting from the square are particularly picturesque.
Not far from the historical centre are the Baths Establishments, with waters having curative properties. Mud baths, baths, natural caves, herbs and bioenergetics treatments are also available to complete the offer for your physical well-being, here considered of extreme importance.
Equally fascinating are the excursions in the environs: the town of
San Piero in Bagno, the thermal water source of
Chiardovo, the village of
Gualchiere and the mountain pass of
Serra, up to the National Park of the
Casentino Forests.
Useful information
From
Cesena: 25 kms
Market day: in
S. Piero, on wednesdays; in
Bagno di Romagna, on fridays.
Municipality of
Bagno di Romagna tel. 0543 917122; fax 0543 903032
Library, Historic Archive,
Palazzo dei Capitani tel. 0543 911037
Tourist Office: tel. 0543 911046; fax 0543 911026
Local tourist office of
Bagno di Romagna tel. 0543-911174; fax 0543 911281
Roncofreddo
Nowadays, the village of
Roncofredddo is a centre mainly based on agricultural activities: vegetables, fruits, and high quality wine production is carried out using highly technological methods, with no detriment to the qulity and the genuineness of its products.
Fully immersed into a particularly suggestive landscape, with soft hills and breathtaking views, this small town offers different visit paths. The ruins of the
Rocca, known as the "
Castellaccio" - the Civic Tower and the entrance Gate – embrace the town centre in a semicircle with its walls and create a very fascinating corner.
The 17th-century parish church of
San Biagio, later devoted to the town patron saint preserves two interesting paintings by
Antonio Cimatori, known as "The
Visacci", from the Counter-Reformation period.
Among the seven fortresses rising in the territory of
Roncofreddo, in addition to the
Castellaccio, it is still possible to explore the fortresses of
Sorrivoli and
Monteleone. The millenary fully-preserved fortress of Sorrivoli hosts an exciting Festival of Great Puppets during the summer, including performances and theatral laboratories organized by renown national and internatial theatrical companies.
The small village of
Santa Paola devoted to the Saint who was born here around 6th century A.D. is worth visiting. Its small
Pieve (parish church) preserves the mortal remains of the Saint woman together with paintings describing her admirable life.
Useful information
From
Cesena: 18 kms
Municipality of
Roncofreddo tel. 0541 949211; fax 0541 949444
Tourist office
Malatesta di Roncofreddo tel. 0541 949101; fax 0541 949444
Tourist office
Monteleone tel. e fax 0547 28871
Municipal Library tel. 0541 949355
Bertinoro
The small town of Bertinoro looks like a typical medieval town, fully preserved. Its top-hill fortress is really imposing, built in this favourable position for defensive purposes around the year 1000. The town is also known for the numerous typical restaurants and "
osteria" serving delicious food specialties from the local tradition. At the foot of
Bertinoro hill rises the ancient and pretty spa centre of
Fratta Terme.
A few kilometers away, near the small town of
Meldola, it ìs interesting to visit the Church of
Polenta.
The
Pieve of San Donato in
Polenta is visited by numeros tourists every year. The early documents about this church are from July, 24th of 911, but the structure was almost completely rebuilt during the following centuries. A memorial stone is devoted to the poet
Giosuè Carducci, who dedicated one of his poems to the
Pieve.
Useful information
Number of inhabitants: 9,306
Altitude: 220 meters over the sea
From
Cesena: 11 kms
Market day: on sundays
Municipality of
Bertinoro tel. 0543 469111; fax 0543 444486
Sarsina
The Municipality of
Sarsina covers a surface of 100 square kms stretching from the middle valley of stream
Borello to that of the river
Savio, and along the stream
Para. Inhabited by the Umbrians around the 400-300 B.C., in 266 B.C. it was conquered by the Romans and became a federate-city (important evidence of the Roman period are still preserved at the National Archeological Museum).
Sarsina was the birth place of the great Roman comedy writer Titus Maccius Plautus. The mainly-agricultural economy of
Sarsina also includes some important manufacturing factories. Among the most important festivities, there are Plautus Festival (Roman
teatro, on August), the Fair of the
Pagnotta Pasquale (Easter’s cake) and, on August, the Festivity of the Patron Saint
S. Vicinio (to whom the Cathedral is also devoted).
Useful information
Municipality:
Largo De Gasperi, 9
Tel. 0547 94901; fax 0547 95384
info@comune.sarsina.fo.it