| Whilst the valley ofthe River Marecchia is dominated
by rocky crags topped
with ancient townships, the Valley or the River Conca is characterised
by
its splendid hills. These softly rounded hummocks forrn a gentle
landscape,
interrupted only occasionally by deep ravines, which bring a pleasant
contrast
of shape and colour to the panorama and add to the variety and fascination
of
the terrain.
 In
the Conca Valley, the castles and townships afe not perched high
on impregnable pinnacles, but afe situated on promontories affording
an ampIe view over the surrounding countryside, from which it was
easier not only to defend the fortified walls of the town, but also
to keep a watchful eye on the fields, and maintain a more tranquil
relationship with the rhythms of
agriculture and nature.
The River Conca rises on Mount Carpegna, at an altitude of about
1400
metres, and its course down to the coast, where it reaches the Adriatic
Sea between Cattolica and Misano Adriatico, is accompanied by a
road that passes, through a number of territories with distinct
characteristics. The upper valley,
situated in the Marche region, features a typically Apennine landscape
of
forests and pastures, and the agricultural activities afe those
traditionally
pursued in this stretch of mountains wedged between Marche, Tuscany
and
Romagna. Further down, the forests give way to lofty hills overlooking
the
whole valley, which were the scene of perpetuaI border conflicts
between the
troops ofthe rival dynasties of Montefeltro, Dukes of Urbino, and
Malatesta,
Lords of Rimini. The late Middle Ages and Renaissance left a heritage
of
castles, towers, fortified towns, ancient churches and precious
works of art
that bave profoundly affected the identity of the Conca Valley,
determining
its frontiers, dialects and customs. In the plain of Romagna, the
countryside
becomes,more placid, and oases of natural beauty blend harmoniously
with
the fields, orchards and vineyards, offering majestic panoramas
of the distant
mountains and the coast. The sea, much closer at this point, is
always visjble
from these hilltop towns and villages. It is in this area, near
Rimini, that the
valley presents its most charming surprises, with a host of monuments,
art
treasures, fairs, festivals and other popular events, and hidden
havens where
wild animals, luxuriant vegetation and the rural landscape combine
form the
ideal backdrop for these magnificent jewels of culture, offering
a delightful
alternative for countryside holidays only a short distance from
the sea.
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