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| Introduction
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 The
beauty and variety of the natural landscape around Gemmano is without
a doubt its greatest heritage, and it boasts some of the most fascinating
and unspoilt countryside of the whole Rimini area, with features
of great interest for botanists, geologists and tourists alike.
The Onferno Caves, the Ventana Valley, its ravines, country paths
and excellent views make the town a special attraction for visitors
who wish to discover the pleasures of a remarkably intact natural
environment.
The name of Gemmano appears to be linked to its rather unusual
coat of arms, which shows an upraised hand holding a ring set with
an enormous gem. A local legend recounts that the name is in fact
associated with a beautiful jewel given to a bride of the Malatesta
family, lords of the castle in the 14th and 15th centuries. However,
it seems equally possible that the name derives from fundus Geminianus,
an estate owned by the Geminiana family which lived in the area
in Roman times, according to two ancient inscriptions discovered
at Montefiore Conca. The present position of the town dates back
to the Middle Ages, when many hilltops in the region were taken
over and fortified.
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| Places
and events
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|  Gemmano
once had an important castle which was the object of of constant
strife between the local warlords, but only the ancient walls, recently
restored, now remain. The centre of the town was completely destroyed
in
September 1944, during the Second World War. Fortunately, the destruction
spared the countryside around the town, and this natural heritage
offers many attractions of unspoilt beauty, such as the Onferno
Caves, the only natural grottoes of the Conca Valley, around which
many legends sprung up in ancient times, as can be imagined from
their rather ominous name.
The caves were hollowed out from the solid chalk on which a castle
once stood by the passage of an underground stream. Although they
are are of quite limited extension, they hold much of interest from
the point of view of speleology and fauna, and have been opened
to the public.
 The
surrounding area was declared a Nature Park on 19th February 1992,
and the project also includes the restoration of the ancient castle
of Onferno, which will become a Visitors’ Centre, ideal as a starting
point for countryside holidays. Places of religious interest around
Gemmano include the Santa Maria di Carbognano Church, where
there is a 16th-century painting showing the Virgin Mary. The Ventena
Valley is another area of great natural beauty, and is perfect for
rambles, country cycling and horse-riding.
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| Useful
information
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Area: 19.2 sq. kilometres
Height: 404 metres above sea level
Population: 1104
Dialling code: 0541
Postcode: 47040
Town Council: I Piazza Roma - Tel. 854060
Tourist Information: 1 Piazza Roma - Tel. 854060
Onferno Caves: Cooperativa Grotte - 83 Via Castello - Tel. 984694
(open June to
September, 9am-l2pm/3pm-7pm: April, May and October, Saturday afternoon
and
Sunday; other months, Sunday afternoon only)
Post Offices:
Via Torino - Tel. 854040
Via Schierno: Tel. 984166
Public Telephone Service: Antica Gemma Restaurant - 1 Via Mazzini
- Tel. 985373
Municipal Police: 1 Via Roma - Tel. 854060
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| Sources
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Taken from:
A Guide to Rimini Countryside 1992
Published by
Rimini Area Tourist Authority
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