A lot of places deserve a visit: its elegant churches
the beautiful Ganganelli square, the tiny lanes of the old village, the Malatesta Castle, the Grottoes, the Armband Ball and Tamburello Games Museum, and the Ethnographic Museum of the People and Customs of Romagna.
Curiosities
Santarcangelo…a special place.
Santarcangelo is a special place; it is 7 kms from the sea, 20 kms from Cesena, 10 kms from Rimini, and it is easily attainable from anywhere. Its name derives from Saint Michael Archangel, but since 1862, in order to distinguish it from other places, its name has been written in full. It grew around the Pieve (the Parish), its oldest monument, but the Barbarian invasions forced it to move up to the hill named Monte Giove, from which it developed downhill and formed today’s Santarcangelo. Its position half on the hill and half on the plain, and its noble and popular double soul of its inhabitants make it a special place. But it owes a lot to its monuments, its mysterious grottoes, its traditions, its wonderful cuisine, its people and its fairs, that, attracting thousands of people, have contributed to launch the tourist image of this city.
Events and Fairs
About Santarcangelo fairs, some written evidence dates back to 1272, while others trace their origins to the Romans. The oldest fair is certainly the “Birds’ Fair” (September 29th), while the most important is “San Martino Fair”. This grand fair attracts thousands of visitors on and about November 11th (Saint Martin) with its still authentic country characteristics: the huge street market, the agricultural machines exhibition, the Funfair, the Shows, the Ballad-singers and the meetings and exhibitions dedicated to food. It is the fair of roasted chicken, of wine and, above all, of the Piadina (local thin bread). The “Palio of the Piadina” is a contest where, under a marquee equipped with bread boards, burners and ingredients, old and not so old men and women challenge each other to prepare Romagna’s bread. However, even though food reigns here, Saint Martin fair is also the bec (cuckold) fair, proof of which is focused in a winking and provocative symbol: a pair of horns hanging from Clemente XIV’s Arch in Santarcangelo central square.
What to see
1) Saint Michael Archangelo’s Pieve
The charming parish church of paleo-christian shapes with byzantine influences dates back to VI/VII Century, and is located on the old civil centre of Pagus Acervolano, where in Roman times there were many kilns.
2) The Sferisterio (Ball Court)
Located on the side of the city walls, it is here that the Tamburello game is still played.
3) Marchi Printing Workshop
It dates back to 1633, and here cloth is still rust-printed with Romagna’s emblems. Inside, there is a still working and beautiful mangle (clothes press).
4) Collegiate Church
It was started in 1744 and completed in 1758 by Rimini’s architect Giovan Francesco Buonamici, and it houses three remarkable paintings. On the left a Saint Eligio painting from 1635 by the Santarcangelo-born painter Guido Cagnacci; on the right a Rimini-school crucifix from 1300; and on the altar, a polyptych by Jacobello di Bonomo from 1385.
5) Museum of the Ball and Tamburello Game
The collection proposes game tools and pictures from various ages of the games that are still played in the Sferisterio.
6) Malatesta Castle
The portion built by Galeotto Malatesta in 1247 no longer exists, while the older part of the tower dates back to 1386, and today’s structure with the three towers was completed by Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta in 1447. Inside, a nice court with a cistern and three rooms with antique furniture.
7) Monache Square
The square houses the Church and the Saint Catherine and Barbara Monastery from 1738, the Cenci Palace from 1609 and the Bell Tower from 1893, and it is also possible to visit a private Hypogeum (underground chamber).
8) Fabbri Quarter
Here we find another Hypogeum, a typical example of the 150 private ones that pierce the hill forming a real underground town.
9) Ganganelli Square
The Arch was built in 1777 in honour of Pope Clemente XIV, and on top it displays the papal stele and coat of arms. In front of it, the Town Hall built in XIX Century by Giovanni Benedettini who was inspired by the famous architect Luigi Poletti.
10) Ethnographic Museum of Romagna’s people
The “Memory Hut”, as it was defined by our famous poet Tonino Guerra, houses objects and tools of our country culture and civilization. It is divided into 15 sections and it proposes an itinerary through the different working cycles.
How to get there
From the Riviera, take Highway A14 exit Rimini Nord and follow directions to Santarcangelo. From Rimini, National Road 258 Marecchiese to Santarcangelo. Buslines 9, 90, 114 from Rimini, and 13 from Torre Pedrera. |
