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Province of Rimini, Emilia Romagna

The territory of Rimini Province is a happy marriage between the traces of a great and glorious past and an extensive, efficient and ultra-modern tourist organisation, known all over the world for its hospitality and its outstanding ability to make guests feel welcome. The overall tourist capacity in the province runs to 2,770 structures, concentrated mainly on the 32.8 kilometres of coastline, and includes 2,587 hotels, 41 serviced residences, 15 campsites, 26 farm holiday centres, 35 holiday homes and hostels, and 67 registered private homes. In the space of a year, sixteen million visitors come here, mainly from Italy and other European countries.

Ever since the first sea-bathing establishment was opened in 1843, the Province of Rimini has proved an ideal place for holidaymakers in search of relaxing days on the beach and in the sea, or fun and games in one of our numerous theme parks; and equally ideal for lovers of night-life, for visitors interested in the art treasures of the past, and for anyone wishing to see the historic centres of the Malatesta Seignory, all so rich in history and tradition.

Because of the exceptional features of the area and its ancient vocation for hospitality, conference and business tourism has found in the Province of Rimini an ideal venue, with an ultra-modern exhibition centre and all the best structures for events and conferences.

The Province of Rimini covers the southern part of the Romagna region's coastline. Here the Apennines reach out as far as the sea itself, so that the hills are only a short distance from the famous sandy beaches. Distinguishing features of the land are the valleys of the Marecchia and Conca rivers; the hills now gentle, now steep and rocky; and the ancient castles, churches and villages hidden deep in the fertile green countryside.
The Marecchia valley, flanked by harsh rocky hills, still guards traces of one of the earliest Italic civilisations, the Villanovians of Verucchio; the Conca valley is more gentle, although in the south towards Le Marche the countryside is more varied, cleft by bare gullies. Both the Marecchia and Conca valleys were part of the Malatesta Seignory, and the Malatestas built fortresses and residences here, where their lands bordered those of the Montefeltro dynasty.
Towering over Rimini and the Adriatic Sea stands the ancient Republic of San Marino with its towers rising from Mount Titano.

Rimini was a colony founded by the Romans in 268 BC, a strategic junction and meeting-point for trade. In the Middle Ages, the city became a free Commune, mistress of her own destiny. The Seignory of the Malatesta dynasty began in the late thirteenth century, and soon the city became a major centre for art and culture. There are outstanding monuments still testifying to the city's history: the Roman Arch of Augustus and Bridge of Tiberius; the Malatesta Temple, one of the great Renaissance masterpieces; and Castel Sismondo, recently re-opened to the public after restoration work.
Features of outstanding historic interest can be found throughout the province, as can echoes of ancient traditions: fairs, popular festivals, traditional crafts. Just a few examples: Verucchio, cradle of the Malatesta dynasty; Poggio Berni, where the mills stood; Montescudo, with the remains of its castle still surrounded by unspoilt countryside; Torriana with its architectural jewels Montebello and Saiano; San Giovanni in Marignano, granary of the Malatestas; Morciano, the market town; and Gemmano with its superb wildlife oasis, Onferno.

Old traditional workshops producing household fabrics printed in rust colour, those beautiful tablecloths which grace tables throughout the Romagna region, can be found in Santarcangelo and Rimini. Wrought iron is produced by skilled craftsmen in Mondaino and Montegridolfo, while the ancient workshops of Montefiore and Montecolombo make ceramics and terracotta. Traditional cooking in Rimini includes the preparation of "brodetto", a fish soup still made exactly as it was once made on board the fishing boats, thick with tomato, piquant with vinegar, and black with pepper. The height of sea-port cuisine is a mixed grill of fish, lightly dusted with breadcrumbs moistened with olive oil and a little parsley; while true seafood lovers will enjoy cuttlefish in tomato sauce with peas, or stewed with fennel and fresh broad beans. And while on the subject of food and wine in this area, we must not forget the "Colli di Rimini" DOC wines, extra-virgin olive oil, and cheeses, products of exceptional quality which have given rise to a provincial project entitled "Rimini Hills Wines and Flavours Trail".

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