The castle of Montegridolfo

The name originates from the family of Gridolfo, riminesi nobles who ruled this country in the thirteenth century. Montegridolfo is surrounded by hills which dominate the coast of Romagna, but the real beauty of this place is the castle, one of the best preserved of Rimini. At the castle, situated on the border between Romagna and the Marche, on the line that separates the valley of the Conca by valley of Foglia, is accessed through a door-shaped arch, topped by the clock tower, which introduces the entrance of a village closed by high walls. The castle was once disputed between the family and the Malatesta of Montefeltro, after several clashes Montegridolfo ended in the hands of the Malatesta who had mastery up to 1500.

This small village is surrounded by high walls, inside, there are narrow streets overlooked by the main buildings of the city, churches and palaces. The Town Hall is located next to the clock tower, while building Viviani, the ancient residence of the lords of the castle today is a prestigious hotel and restaurant that stands on the ruins of the fortress. At the foot of the walls of the castle is the small church of S. Rocco, built in 1427, once a place of hospitality for pilgrims, the church holds a work attributed to the artist Guido Cagnacci, a beautiful painting depicting the Madonna and Child adored by many saints. The Shrine of Our Lady of Grace (1548), the destination of pilgrimages from Romagna and the Marche nearby, is located not far from the city center. Finally, the Museum of the Gothic line, which houses objects, photographs and testimonies of the Second World War.