Bertinoro
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Built on top of the hill, overlooking the entire Romagna valley, the Bertinoro Fortress is one of the most ancient castles in all of Romagna: square blocks of spungone were used for its construction, which pre-dates the 10th century.
In the 12th century it was enlarged by Countess Aldruda Frangipane, a noblewoman who brought the rules of courtesy to Bertinoro. at the end of the 12th century, the fortress came under the rule of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, who stayed here for approximately six months with his troops, and at the start of the 14th century, also Dante Alighieri was a guest of the Ordelaffi family.
After a long period of occupation by the Malatesta family, at the end of the 15th century the fortress became the seat of Bertinoro’s bishops and acquired the appearance that it has to this day. The rustic and magnificent entryway, this too build using the spungone rock, also dates back to the era of the bishops. But the Bertinoro Fortress isn’t just a fascinating monument. Inside are a centre for higher education, and the very unique Interfaith Museum, a cultural gem like none other in Italy, dedicated to the three major monotheistic religions of the world: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
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Bertinoro Palazzo Ordelaffi e la Cattedrale
Palazzo Ordelaffi, flanked by the Civic Tower, faces out onto Piazza della Libertà. Built by Pino Ordelaffi I in 1306, it’s today the seat of the municipal offices. Right next to it is the cathedral, built at the start of the 17th century in the Bramante style and devoid of a front facade as, when it was built, the plan foresaw the demolition of Palazzo Ordelaffi, which thankfully didn’t occur.
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Bertinoro Il Balcone della Romagna
Bertinoro has earned the name the “Balcony of Romagna” due to the spectacular panoramic view that one can enjoy from its main piazza, which overlooks the entire Romagna valley all the way to the sea.
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Bertinoro La campana dell'Albana e la cultura del vino
Wine culture is one of the distinctive elements of Bertinoro, with several of its symbolic locations dedicated to it specifically: the Winemaker Monument, which recalls local winemaker Mario Pezzi’s nomination as Winemaker of the World; the Road of the Grape Harvest, with seven panels signed by local artists; and the Albana Bell, whose ringing signals the start of the grape harvest.
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Bertinoro La Giudecca
Just steps away from the piazza is a neighbourhood that welcomed the Jewish community in medieval times (between the 13th and 15th centuries). It was here that the very important Jewish scholar Ovadiah Yare was born, today known as the ‘Gran Bertinoro’.
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Bertinoro Le terme e il parco di Fratta
In the territory of Bertinoro, there is also Fratta Terme, a thermal centre that has been around since the Roman age. It offers seven types of water and a wide range of health, beauty, and wellness treatments, with a large park that hosts events and athletic activities.
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Bertinoro Pieve di Polenta
The Church dates back to the 13th century and it is closely tied to the memory of Dante Alighieri and Francesca. In fact, the famous protagonist of the fifth canto of the Dante’s Inferno, together with Paolo Malatesta, was originally from Polenta.