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Introduction
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Along
the central pa rt of the Conca Valley, the oldest towns and villages
are situated on pleasant hilltops. Monlecolombo is one of these
towns, and many parts of its ancient castle have survived, dominating
apanorama that stretches over the valley, down to the coast and
inland to San Marino, with al/the promise ofthe tranquillity of
the countryside only a short distance from the bustling beaches
of the Adriatic Riviera.
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History
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| Although the ancient site of Castrum Montis Columbi,
deriving from the Latin word colombus, meaning ‘dove’, has yielded
little that might shed light on its origins, a number of lamps,
ornaments and other objects found here show that it was certainly
inhabited in Roman times.
Montecolombo was first mentioned in a document in 568 AD, when
the town was a part of the Duchy of Rimini, and another document,
dated 962, refers to it as a possession of Otto 1. In the period
of the German Emperors Frederick Barbarossa and Otto IV, Montecolombo
changed hands frequently, being ruled by the neighbouring towns
of Montescudo and Rimini, and even by the Abbey of Ravenna.
The Malatesta family obtained control of the town in 1271, and
dominated it for some two centuries. In 1504 it was occupied briefly
by the Venetians, but it soon returned under the rule of the Papal
States, which had owned considerable stretches of Romagna since
the first donations made following the conquest of the Franks in
the 9th century. Pope P1u5 VII granted the town its independence
from nearby Montescudo in
1816.
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Places
and events
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| The
present town, with its characteristic medieval architecture and
streets, is famed for the excellence of its wines and its local
craftwork products, such as earthenware. In the past, the whole
countryside around was dotted with smaller castles, but the ravages
of time and the destruction caused by the last war have left only
that of Montecolombo.
The fortitied walls
that encircle the town centre are of particular interest, as are
the old gateways and the clock tower. In the centre of the town
there is also the San Martino Church which has a fine painting showing
St Martin, done by G. Soleri Brancaieoni in the late 18th century.
The surrounding countryside,
shimmering in its beauty under the midsummer sun, offers a welcome
invitation to visit the mineral water springs at San Savino, only
a few kilometres away, whose refreshing waters possess notable therapeutic
effects. A number of summertime events provide further incentives
to discover Montecolombo and enjoy the relaxing serenity of the
rural landscape. Two of these, the Tripe Festival and the Pasta
Festival (July) present these rather unusual delicacies cooked according
to a variety of traditional local recipes.
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Useful
information
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| Area:
11.89 sq. kilometres
Height: 315 metres above sea level
Population: 1770
Dialling code: 0541
Postcode: 47040
Town Council: 3 Piazza Malatesta - Tel. 984214
Tourist Information: Town Hall- Tel. 984591
Post Offices:
3 Piac:a Malatesta - Tel. 984217
Via Provinciale - Taverna - Tel. 984255
Croce - Tel. 985341
25 Via Roma - San Savino - Tel. 985443
Ragazzi del Lago Community: 4 Via Canepa - Croce - Tel. 985115
Police: Via Borgo - Tel. 984224
Municipal Police: 3 Piazza Malatesta - Tel. 9842/4
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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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