Holiday apartment in Rimini: history, culture and 15 kilometres of beach

Rimini combines an exceptionally long history with an extensive coastline. The historic centre preserves evidence of more than two thousand years of art and architecture. Roman buildings, traces of the Malatesta family, museums, theatrical history and the places associated with film director Federico Fellini come together to create a multifaceted picture of the city.

Culture

Among the city’s most distinctive buildings is the Tempio Malatestiano, designed by Leon Battista Alberti. Inside, it preserves Giotto’s crucifix as well as a fresco by Piero della Francesca. Castel Sismondo was built as the fortified residence of Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta and combined representative and defensive functions. The defensive complex was created with advice from Filippo Brunelleschi and featured gun openings. Restoration findings also show that Castel Sismondo incorporated Roman walls, the medieval city gate Porta del Gattolo, as well as Malatesta houses and palaces.

The Museo della Città Luigi Tonini is housed in an 18th-century building erected between 1746 and 1755 according to plans by Alfonso Torreggiani as a Jesuit college. The restored historic rooms now serve as exhibition halls. The museum presents Rimini’s past through millennia-old evidence of the local cultural heritage from excavations, churches and municipal buildings. Interactive audio guides are intended to make the visit easier for people with disabilities and children.

The Gambalunga Library also preserves historic rooms: three halls date from the 17th century and another from the 18th century. They retain their original furnishings and original bibliographic collections. The Biblioteca civica Gambalunga is located in a palace built by Alessandro Gambalunga between 1610 and 1614. Its neoclassical architectural details were influenced by Sebastiano Serlio.

History

Roman traces are present in several places in Rimini. The Domus del Chirurgo archaeological complex was discovered in 1989 and includes a 700-square-metre Roman domus dating from the 2nd century AD. The site preserves mosaics and frescoes, including an Orpheus mosaic, as well as surgical instruments and mortars used to prepare medicines. Access to the Domus del Chirurgo is included with the admission ticket to the Museo della Città.

The Arco d'Augusto is the oldest surviving arch in northern Italy. It was erected in 27 BC as a triumphal arch to celebrate Octavian Augustus. From Rimini railway station, the arch can be reached on foot via Viale Dante to Piazza Tre Martiri and then on to Largo Giulio Cesare. Rimini’s tourist information office is located inside the station. Rimini’s Roman amphitheatre is considered the only surviving theatre in Emilia-Romagna.

An archaeological area lies beneath the Teatro Amintore Galli, discovered during excavations carried out while the theatre was being rebuilt. It presents an excerpt from Rimini’s history, from the 4th century BC to the 19th century. The Teatro Amintore Galli itself opened in 1857 as the Teatro Nuovo with Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Aroldo.

Film and theatre

The Fellini Museum extends across Castel Sismondo, Palazzo del Fulgor and Piazza Malatesta. It is dedicated to Fellini’s film work and his relationship with the arts, in a constant dialogue between innovation and tradition. Fulgor is Rimini’s oldest cinema and is located in the 18th-century Palazzo Valloni, whose façade was designed by Giuseppe Valadier. Federico Fellini saw his first film at the Fulgor cinema. Palazzo Fulgor is now a publicly accessible centre for information, study and research.

Routes

The pedestrian Ponte di Tiberio connects Rimini’s historic centre with the distinctive San Giuliano district. It is built of Istrian stone and has five round arches. This prominent structure complements the sequence of historic buildings, archaeological sites and urban cultural venues.

Coast

Rimini’s beach stretches for 15 kilometres from Torre Pedrera to Miramare. There are water sports centres on the beach where visitors can learn or practise sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and stand-up paddleboarding.

Depending on the travel plans, the stated occupancy may be just as relevant as the breakdown of the price components. View or compare the offers for Rimini and consider the conditions specified by each individual offer for your chosen travel dates.

Further destinations

You can also find the destinations Cattolica, Cavallino, Corpolò, Gemmano, Montebello, Montescudo, Riccione, Rimini, Misano Adriatico, Rimini-Torre Pedrera, Mondaino, San Clemente, Verucchio, Santʼarcangelo Di Romagna, Coriano, Montegridolfo, San Leo, San Giovanni In Marignano, Bellaria-Igea Marina, Pennabilli, Cerasolo, Rivabella, Saludecio, Albereto, Poggio Berni, Castelleale, Vergiano, Casteldelci, Montefiore Conca, Monte Colombo, Torriana, Talamello, Sant'andrea In Casale, Novafeltria, San Giuliano A Mare, Bruciato, Maiolo, San Martino Dei Mulini, Sant'agata Feltria, Perticara, Sant'ermete, Case Di Pedrolara, Petrella Guidi, Ca' Baldo, San Savino, Morciano di Romagna, Bellariva, Scacciano, Scavolino, Passano.

To the overarching travel overview: Emilia-Romagna.