Bologna - Rimini Travel Guides | Bologna | Sub Regions | Bologna - Rimini

Nowadays the Italian equivalent of Ibiza, it is hard to believe Rimini was once an important Adriatic port. Rimini's hidden depths imclude Roman ruins and the fact that it was the birthplace and psychological inspiration of the film director Federico Fellini, whose film Amarcord records his childhood here.

Rimini's Arco d'Augusto, dated to the year 27BC is one of the oldest surviving Roman arches in Italy. Older still is the five-arched bridge of Ponte di Tiberio, built in 22 BC out of white Istrian stone.

Sights

Tempio Malatestiano

piazza San Francesco. Tue-Sat 0830-1230, 1700-1900, Sun 1600-1900. €3.60.

It was not really until the 15th century that Rimini reached the apogee of its power under the extraordinary prince-inventor- scientist-strategist-humanist, Sigismondo Malatesta. It is to him and his love for his third wife, Isotta degli Atti, that the city owes the magnificent and eclectic pagan Tempio Malatestiano. Originally a Gothic church to Saint Francis, Malatesta had its façade transformed by Alberti to reflect the motifs of the Arco d'Augusto. The pagan theme continues inside with angels, cupids, roses and elephants by Agostino di Duccio adorning the side chapels. The crucifix in the chapel of Isotta has been attributed to Giotto and the walls of the Reliquary Chapel are adorned by a magnificent and indulgent fresco of Sigismondo praying at the Feet of Saint Sigsmondo painted in 1451 by Piero della Francesca.

Beaches

Rimini's beaches are heavily signposted from bus and train stations.

Riccione and Cattolica are the two main beach resorts but the Italian concept of a beach is unlikely to coincide with that of visitors. As elsewhere in Italy, the whole coast has been carved up into bagni, private beaches the size of postage stamps which attract varying degrees of snobbery according, it would seem, to the colour of the parasols and deckchairs. There are virtually no public places to enjoy. You will be sandwiched between other towels, quickly have sand kicked in your face by a nearby game of beach tennis, or be pestered by one of a sweltering army of watch/sponge/glasses/you-name-it vendors. That said, the views of pectorally perfect men and glossy gilded lilies are fantastic.

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