Located in the eastern part of Italy, the Emilia-Romagna region is rightfully called the Adriatic Riviera. Its symbol is Rimini, a city founded in 268 BC and a modern resort offering endless opportunities for entertainment, shopping, and relaxation on its wide sandy beaches stretching for several miles. Tourists are also drawn to Rimini’s attractions, which are real treasure troves of ancient artifacts and relics that reveal the pages of the country’s history and culture.
Borgo San Giuliano
Just behind the famous Tiberius Bridge, which crosses the Marecchia River, begins the picturesque district of Borgo San Giuliano. This area is known for its numerous seafood restaurants, shops, romantic alleys, and closely spaced houses adorned with flowers on windowsills and bright frescoes. Here you can find the 9th-century Benedictine Abbey and the Romanesque Church of San Giuliano.
Residents of this authentic district still follow the tradition of communal meals known as “ligaza.” At the same time, townspeople gather in small squares to socialize and share food they brought with them: freshly baked rolls, sardines caught in the morning, and homemade wine.
The dialogues of the locals were overheard and included in the films of the famous Federico Fellini. The house of the Italian director on Via San Giuliano, 71, remains one of the main attractions of Borgo San Giuliano.
Piazza Cavour
The cultural center of the city is a place where fascinating historical monuments are gathered. Despite belonging to different eras, the architectural ensemble of Piazza Cavour is a worthy example of beauty and harmony. People come here not only to get acquainted with iconic structures but also to relax on the numerous benches around the perimeter and refresh themselves at the marble “Pigna” fountain, whose water is drinkable.
The main objects in this pedestrian-only area are three palaces from the 13th-16th centuries: the Palazzo dell’Arengo, Palazzo del Podestà, and the medieval Palazzo Garampi. Piazza Cavour is also decorated with a monument dedicated to Pope Paul V. Tourists and locals hurry to the fish market, where the stone stalls from the 18th century are still preserved. Each morning (except Sundays), you can buy not only seafood but also unique souvenirs.
Piazza Tre Martiri
The modern name Piazza Tre Martiri translates from Italian as “Square of the Three Martyrs.” This name was given after the tragic events of World War II when, in 1944, Italian partisans were executed by the Nazis in the historic center. Today, the architectural core of this popular tourist spot includes the Baroque Church of Sant’Antonio from the 16th century and the Palazzo Brioli, which attracts attention with its brick clock tower, adorned with wrought-iron elements and astrological clocks.
Piazza Tre Martiri’s history dates back to 200 BC when it served as the city forum. Historians assert that in 49 BC, Caesar addressed the inhabitants and his legions from the still-preserved rostrum, urging them to support his intention to march on Rome. A bronze statue of the great commander, erected in 1933, adorns the northern part of the square.
Rimini Fiera Exhibition Center
In the northern part of the city, at Via Emilia, 155, the Rimini Fiera exhibition center has been organizing international exhibitions since 2001. It specializes in four themes: entertainment, tourism, environment and technology, food industry, and hotel business. The complex, covering an area of 460,000 m², has its railway platform, Riminifiera. There is also an internal bus station on the premises. You can reach it via a free shuttle running every 15 minutes.
Rimini Fiera features 16 pavilions for exhibitions, service and technical rooms, shopping areas, conference rooms, meeting rooms, restaurants, snack bars, and car rentals. Tickets for events can be purchased in advance through local travel agencies. Individuals can attend not only public fairs but also professional exhibitions.
Arch of Augustus
The monumental Arch of Augustus, closing the pedestrian street Corso d’Augusto, reminds us of the ancient era when the modern Adriatic resort was known as Ariminum. Erected in honor of Emperor Caesar Augustus in 27 BC, this structure is the oldest surviving triumphal arch in Italy. Initially, the structure made of Istrian stone, which was part of the defensive wall, was adorned with a quadriga. It was destroyed by an earthquake in the Middle Ages and replaced with a crenellated top.
The marble walls of the structure, 9 meters long and 9.92 meters high, are decorated with fluted pilasters and Corinthian columns. The facade facing Rome is adorned with medallions depicting Jupiter and Apollo. On the opposite side are images of Minerva and Neptune. A model of the arch in its original form, recreated from preserved ancient Roman drawings, can be seen in the city’s historical museum.
Tiberius Bridge
The symbol of the city, immortalized on its coat of arms, is the 62-meter-long five-arched Tiberius Bridge, which has been connecting the banks of the Marecchia River for 2,000 years. Despite its venerable age, the stone bridge is still traversed round the clock by small cars and tour buses. The exceptional strength of the structure is due to the mixture of lime and volcanic ash used in its construction and the special technique employed: the pilons, installed at an angle, are connected.
The construction of the stone bridge began in AD 14 during the reign of Emperor Augustus and was completed in AD 21 under Tiberius. In 580, the structure was destroyed by the Goths and fully restored by 1680. The bridge has survived to the present day almost unchanged. Latin inscriptions can still be seen on its parapet, and one of the stones bears a clear imprint of a goat’s hoof, known as the “devil’s mark.”
Castel Sismondo
In 1430, Sigismondo Malatesta came to power in the city. Seven years later, he issued a decree to construct a defensive castle complex, in which the ruler took an active part in designing. The work continued for 15 years. In 1446, the Malatesta family moved into their new family residence, which resembled an impregnable fortress rather than a family castle. The core of the architectural ensemble, separated from the world by a moat and massive 30-meter-high walls with fearsome bronze cannons, was a three-story palace.
After Sigismondo’s death in 1468, the castle began to be used for military purposes, turning the former residence’s rooms into barracks. Today, the royal palace’s halls house the Ethnographic Museum’s exhibitions. The courtyard serves as a venue for cultural events. Castel Sismondo is located at Piazza Malatesta.
Tempio Malatestiano Church
In the historic center of the city, at Via IV Novembre, 35, stands the Franciscan church, also known as the Malatesta Temple. Built in the 1200s, it was reconstructed in the 15th century and transformed into a mausoleum for the famous Malatesta family, led by Pope’s favorite, Sigismondo Malatesta.
The project architect, Leon Battista Alberti, was tasked with creating a building comparable in beauty and power to the Pantheon. However, the Pope’s patronage did not save the ruler of Rimini from excommunication, causing construction to halt. The grand plans of the architect remained unfinished.
Today, the cathedral is a structure decorated with a marble facade, sculptures, and blind arches. The austere interior’s adornments include a large altar crucifix and sarcophagi containing the remains of Sigismondo and his beloved Isotta.
Surgeon’s House Museum
In 1989, during repair work on Piazza Ferrari, the remains of a two-story house built in the 2nd century and destroyed by fire in the mid-3rd century were discovered. Ten years of archaeological excavations unearthed clay walls, stone sculptures, mosaics, coins, and interior items.
Additionally, 150 medical instruments used for surgical, pharmacological, and therapeutic purposes were found. Today, a museum is open on a 700 m² area enclosed by a glass structure. Its collection introduces visitors to ancient ruins and artifacts from the 2nd-18th centuries.
National Motorcycle Museum
A must-visit for motorcycle enthusiasts is the unique museum located in the picturesque suburb. In a two-story pavilion covering 700 m², exhibits dear to the hearts of asphalt heroes are displayed. Eight private collections, arranged thematically and by periods, provide a comprehensive history of motorcycle development.
The exhibition halls house 250 models from 60 world manufacturers, including famous brands like Frera, Ducati, Moto Guzzi, and Benelli. The museum proudly showcases priceless exhibits: an 1816 wooden bicycle, the progenitor of scooters MOTO PATTINO A.B.C, created in 1920, and the legendary 1942 Harley Davidson.
The museum is located at Via Casalecchio.
Italia in Miniatura Park
Since 1970, thousands of tourists have flocked to the outskirts of Rimini. Their goal is to visit the theme park, which has gathered 272 miniature replicas of Italy’s most famous landmarks. Here, you can take a gondola ride along the Grand Canal, which is 1/5 the size of the original, admire the Colosseum, or take a photo against St. Peter’s Basilica.
In addition to the models, tourists will find various attractions and interactive activities: miniature runways launch airplanes, and tiny train stations dispatch trains.
The park is located at Via Popilia.
Fiabilandia Amusement Park
In 1965, Italy’s first amusement park, Fiabilandia, a kingdom for children, opened on the Adriatic coast. At the entrance, visitors can see the local landmark — the fairy-tale castle of Merlin the wizard. The 150,000 m² area is divided into four thematic zones: the Wild West with Apache and Navajo villages, Peter Pan’s pirate bay, the eastern sector focused on Chinese folklore, and the medieval territory of knights and wizards.
The amusement park is located at Via Gerolamo Cardano, 15.
Federico Fellini Park
Not only fans of the legendary Italian director but also lovers of leisurely walks along shady alleys will enjoy the park named after Rimini’s famous native, Federico Fellini. The main decorations of the green area, located along the city promenade, are:
- Fountain of the Four Horses, built in 1928. The composition represents a pool symbolizing the sea element, from which four creatures with horse bodies and fish tails emerge.
- Two-meter sculpture “Camera”, erected in 1948. The monument was created with the participation of the Italian film and equipment company Ferrania. The front of the giant camera is adorned with the red inscription “Fellinia.”
Next to the park is another famous landmark — the five-star Grand Hotel Rimini, where the genius of Italian cinematography filmed several scenes for the movie “Amarcord.”
Ferris Wheel
The Ferris wheel near the city port stands at just 60 meters high. However, its fast rotation puts it on par with giants like the Riesenrad in Vienna and the Millennium Wheel in London. With 42 gondolas, the Italian attraction, weighing 360 tons, lifts up to 2,000 people into the sky every hour. The structure is especially beautiful at night, illuminated by 60,000 multicolored lights.
The Wheel of Rimini is often called a bridge connecting the sky with the sea waves. On clear days, the top provides magnificent views of the city, the Adriatic, and the Republic of San Marino. Don’t worry if the structure suddenly stops during the ascent or descent. This is a necessary measure — due to the increased rotation speed, visitors sometimes don’t have enough time to board the cabin.
The attraction is located at Largo Ruggero Boscovich, 1.
Beaches
The best natural attraction of the Italian resort is its beaches, stretching for 15 km. From mid-June to September, tourists sunbathe, play tennis and volleyball, and participate in dance workshops on the fine pebbles and soft sand covering the Adriatic shore.
Important to know! The coast north of the city is protected from the elements by a stone wall, making this area unsuitable for those who enjoy swimming against the waves. There are 10 zones available for vacationers, with the best being Bellariva, Marebello, Marina Centro, San Giuliano Mare, Rivabella, Miramare, and Viserbella.
The majority of the coastline comprises paid beaches equipped with all necessary amenities. You can also swim in the sea and sunbathe for free. However, in this case, you might encounter a large number of tourists and possibly trash left by careless beachgoers.
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