History can be relived at the Rimini’s striking Malatesta Fort (Castel Sismondo). It originally served various functions: it was the Prince’s Castle, a fort, the barracks of the garrison town and a prison; and now it is an historical monument housing various exhibitions.

The splendid Gradara, which can seen from the A 14 motorway, comprises the Malatesta castle mentioned in Dante’s Inferno.

Mondaino with its seventeenth century colonnade and Malatesta Fort, which draws millions of visitors in August due to its famous “Palio del daino” (deer ‘race’).

Montegridolfo, instead, is in an idyllic setting, nestled among olive groves and vineyards, and its fortified historical centre is still remarkably intact and well restored.

Montefiore Conca, a lively fortified medieval village classified as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy on account of its dominating Malatesta Fort and architecture, offers superb food.

Near the border with Le Marche, the Karst caves in the Onferno Natural Reserve are also well worth a visit.

Nearby is Montescudo, a small town with civic tower and crumbling walls.
It is famous for its rich production of terracotta objects and potato cultivation (there’s a potato festival in August).

You should also visit Gemmano if you fancy a walk in the lush Malatesta Valleys.

Verucchio, ‘Malatesta’s cradle’, was the town of Villanova culture, finds of which are now kept in the Museo Civico Archeologico (Civic Museum of Archaeology), and features late medieval buildings such as the Parish church and Franciscan Convent where you can admire an enormous cypress over seven centuries old.

The town produces an excellent Cagnina, a sweet wine that goes perfectly with roasted chestnuts. Beautiful crafts shops are full of printed cloths, embroidery and rustic organic furniture.

Next, at Santarcangelo, you can admire the hundred or more grotte di Giove (Jupiter’s Caves), tuffaceous caves where it is believed Sangiovese wine was conserved.

Slightly to the right is a panoramic road that takes you to the splendid Torriana and Montebello forts still bearing signs of the Malatestas’ relentless battles.
You can also visit the Torriana-Montebello Fauna Oasis to take in its pristine nature.

Food is simple and genuine, such as the home-made strozzapreti and tagliatelle pasta. As for wine, Sangiovese and Trebbiano are produced throughout the region.

The printed cloths, ceramics and rustic terracotta products make especially good souvenirs.