Rimini is a small city in the Emilia-Romagna region of northeast Italy. It is the
capital of the Province of Rimini and a major coastal resort, situated
on the Adriatic Sea, on a long stretch of coast between the rivers
Marecchia and Ausa. With its 15 kilometres of sandy beach, Rimini
is Italy's most popular seaside location, and one of the largest of its
kind in Europe. Boasting over a thousand hotels and countless
bars, restaurants and dance floors, it is a popular holiday destination
for Italians and international tourists alike. Yet it is also a city
with a fascinating history, which is borne out by its plethora of
historical monuments, galleries and museums.
Rimini was founded by the Romans in 268 BC, as the colony Ariminum at the mouth of the Ariminus river. Originally intended to defend the Italian peninsular from attacking Gauls, the town proved to be a crucial bridgehead in the Gallic wars. After the fall of Rome, Rimini was captured by the Goths in 493 AD and later came under Byzantine control in the mid-6th century. The city became a municipality in the 14th century and was controlled by the powerful Malatesta family from 1239 to 1528. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the city's political and economic importance progressively declined through a series of calamities, which included natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods, and attacks from pirates and armies. During this troubled period, fishing became the dominant industry. In 1843, Rimini acquired its first bathing facility and soon became a popular holiday resort. In the 19th century, the city was an active participant in the movement for Italian unification. During the Second World War, Rimini was extensively damaged by fierce fighting and bombing. After the war, the city was rebuilt and very soon became a thriving holiday resort once again. Today, it is also a venue for some of the most important trade fairs and conferences in Europe.
The main attraction in Rimini is of course its gorgeous family-friendly
beach, which stretches for 15 kilometres along the Adriatic coast and
is the perfect setting for sunbathing and beach games. Nearby
there is dolphinarium (Delfinario Rimini), where you can watch dolphin
shows and visit a small sea life museum and aquarium. There are
also several theme parks in the area, including: Italia in Miniature, with 270 scale
reproductions of Italy's greatest historical monuments; and Aquafan, Europe's largest water
park, offering a wide variety of rides and slides for all the
family. The town centre is not far away, with its fashionable
shops, bars and restaurants.
But there is far more to Rimini than the attractions you would expect of a major seaside resort. The city dates back to Roman times and is rich in historic architecture. Its Roman monuments include: the Augustus Arch, erected in 27 BC in honour of the Emperor Augustus; the Tiberius Bridge, which was built in 21 AD and connects the city centre to Borgo San Giuliano; a 2nd century amphitheatre with a capacity of 15,000; and the Surgeon's House (Domus Del Chirugo), a large complex which contains some of the most well preserved domestic mosaics from Roman times.
Rimini's most noticeable historical landmark is the Tempio Malatestiano (Maletesta Temple, also known as San Francesco Cathedral). Originally a Gothic church in the 13th century, this later became a cathedral, renovated in the Renaissance style by the architect Leon Battista Alberti, who gave it its great dome. It contains the tombs of the great lord of Rimini, Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, and his wife Isotta. Another impressive sacred building is Chiesa di Sant'Agostino, located on the Piazza Cavour at the heart of the historic city centre. Built in the 13th century, this is one of Rimini's oldest churches, famous for its bell tower, although its structure was greatly modified in the 17th and 18th centuries. Its baroque interior is adorned with paintings, statues and a remarkable series of frescos. Other churches of interest are: San Giuliano Martire, a 16th century church with paintings of Paul Veronese and Bittino da Faenza; San Giovanni Battista, which dates to the 12th century; San Fortunato, a 15th century church which houses Giorgio Vasari's Adoration of the Magi.
Another major landmark is the Castel Sismondo, a forbidding castle-palace whose construction began in 1437 for the lord of Rimini, Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, who died here in 1468. It was converted into barracks for the local Carabinieri in 1821. Today, it is used as a venue for exhibitions. One of Rimini's most interesting museums is the Federico Fellini Museum, which is dedicated to the life and films of the great Italian film director who was born in the city. The Piazza Cavour is an attractive square which once served as a fish and vegetable market in medieval times. Around it are situated three important palaces - Palazzo del Podestà (built in the early 13th century to house the judiciary and civil administrations), Palazzo dell'Arengo, and Palazzo Garampi - and the 19th century Teatro Amintore Galli, a grand 19th century theatre which was bombed during WWII. At the centre of the square is the sculptured fountain Fontana della Pigna.
Rimini's nearest airport is Rimini International Airport, 7 km from the city centre. There is a bus service between the town and the airport. A cheaper alternative may be Forli Airport, 55 km from Rimini. A train service operates from the centre of Rimini to Ravenna and Bologna in the north and Ancona in the south.
Rimini was founded by the Romans in 268 BC, as the colony Ariminum at the mouth of the Ariminus river. Originally intended to defend the Italian peninsular from attacking Gauls, the town proved to be a crucial bridgehead in the Gallic wars. After the fall of Rome, Rimini was captured by the Goths in 493 AD and later came under Byzantine control in the mid-6th century. The city became a municipality in the 14th century and was controlled by the powerful Malatesta family from 1239 to 1528. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the city's political and economic importance progressively declined through a series of calamities, which included natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods, and attacks from pirates and armies. During this troubled period, fishing became the dominant industry. In 1843, Rimini acquired its first bathing facility and soon became a popular holiday resort. In the 19th century, the city was an active participant in the movement for Italian unification. During the Second World War, Rimini was extensively damaged by fierce fighting and bombing. After the war, the city was rebuilt and very soon became a thriving holiday resort once again. Today, it is also a venue for some of the most important trade fairs and conferences in Europe.
But there is far more to Rimini than the attractions you would expect of a major seaside resort. The city dates back to Roman times and is rich in historic architecture. Its Roman monuments include: the Augustus Arch, erected in 27 BC in honour of the Emperor Augustus; the Tiberius Bridge, which was built in 21 AD and connects the city centre to Borgo San Giuliano; a 2nd century amphitheatre with a capacity of 15,000; and the Surgeon's House (Domus Del Chirugo), a large complex which contains some of the most well preserved domestic mosaics from Roman times.
Rimini's most noticeable historical landmark is the Tempio Malatestiano (Maletesta Temple, also known as San Francesco Cathedral). Originally a Gothic church in the 13th century, this later became a cathedral, renovated in the Renaissance style by the architect Leon Battista Alberti, who gave it its great dome. It contains the tombs of the great lord of Rimini, Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, and his wife Isotta. Another impressive sacred building is Chiesa di Sant'Agostino, located on the Piazza Cavour at the heart of the historic city centre. Built in the 13th century, this is one of Rimini's oldest churches, famous for its bell tower, although its structure was greatly modified in the 17th and 18th centuries. Its baroque interior is adorned with paintings, statues and a remarkable series of frescos. Other churches of interest are: San Giuliano Martire, a 16th century church with paintings of Paul Veronese and Bittino da Faenza; San Giovanni Battista, which dates to the 12th century; San Fortunato, a 15th century church which houses Giorgio Vasari's Adoration of the Magi.
Another major landmark is the Castel Sismondo, a forbidding castle-palace whose construction began in 1437 for the lord of Rimini, Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, who died here in 1468. It was converted into barracks for the local Carabinieri in 1821. Today, it is used as a venue for exhibitions. One of Rimini's most interesting museums is the Federico Fellini Museum, which is dedicated to the life and films of the great Italian film director who was born in the city. The Piazza Cavour is an attractive square which once served as a fish and vegetable market in medieval times. Around it are situated three important palaces - Palazzo del Podestà (built in the early 13th century to house the judiciary and civil administrations), Palazzo dell'Arengo, and Palazzo Garampi - and the 19th century Teatro Amintore Galli, a grand 19th century theatre which was bombed during WWII. At the centre of the square is the sculptured fountain Fontana della Pigna.
Rimini's nearest airport is Rimini International Airport, 7 km from the city centre. There is a bus service between the town and the airport. A cheaper alternative may be Forli Airport, 55 km from Rimini. A train service operates from the centre of Rimini to Ravenna and Bologna in the north and Ancona in the south.
Also in Italy:
Top tourist attractions in Rimini, Italy:
- Aquafan
- Arch of Augustus
- Beaches
- Delfinario Rimini
- Fiabilandia
- Italia in Miniature
- Piazza Cavour
- Roman Rimini
- Tempio Malatestiano
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