Exploring Verucchio in a Hot Summer Day

When climbing up a hill in San Leo to see if there is any possibility to get up the tower for a greater view on the hinterland I happened to talk to a lady from Rome who was exploring the area and just figured out that the tower is closed. While talking about the beautiful village of San Leo, she told me she was just before at Verucchio which es even more interesting than this place. So mu reaction is easy to predict: I have to verify.

A few days later I was on my way to Verucchio not without getting first lost in San Marino which is only a few kilometers far.

Verucchio is a little commune in the Rimini area and near to San Marino which is another country within Italy. Both are embedded in the Emilia-Romagna. Here flows the Marecchia river and the whole valley is called Val Marecchia.

Verucchio is situated on a rock and offers an incredible view on the valley, to San Marino and along the Romagna coast. The name means ‘true eye’ as it is referring exactly to this clear view to the horizon.

It’s story starts already in the late Iron Age when the first settlers of the Villanovan culture discovered the secure place.

Here was born the founder of the Malatesta dynasty which rules for 300 years the area. His son is also known from Dante’s Inferno. He was lame and married to a beautiful young lady who was in love with his younger brother. When he found them (after almost 15 years) in adultery he killed them both with his own hands (this happened in Gradara).

After the Malatesta dynasty it has been a fief of the Medici of Florence in the Papal States, was part of the Republic of Venice until 1620 and it follows the history of the whole region and Italy.

The little town offers a little ancient center with the typical architecture of the Middle Age. On the top of the hill and easily to arrive there is the castle, closed at the time I was there. The view is amazing! Just under the castle there is a little restaurant enjoying this amazing panorama and worth to sit on the terrace for a romantic dinner.

The village itself is nice, very suggestive. I recommend NOT to go there during lunchtime (1 pm to 4 pm) as everything is closed (except restaurants etc). We walked in the narrow streets where oftentimes no car can pass, the cathedral from outside is already imposing. There were young people preparing for a concert at nighttime.

Verucchio is just 5 minutes by car from San Marino and on the way to San Leo and Sant’Agata Feltria, another two rock villages with castles.


Verucchio, Emilia-Romagna/Italy:

For further information:
Verucchio
Verucchio Music Festival (in Italian)
There is in the beginning of August another event: Rocca d’Incanto with Medieval dinners, music and lifestyle. Proloco Verucchio (in Italian)


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