the medieval castles.

#history

a journey to the heart of the middle ages

Within just a few kilometres of Hotel Gloria lie 12 of Italy’s most beautiful medieval castles and villages. First among them, Gradara: the castle that witnessed the legend of Paolo and Francesca, immortalised by Dante in the Divine Comedy. Walking within its walls is like stepping back seven centuries in time.

In summer, the castles come alive with historical re-enactments, jousting tournaments and medieval markets that delight the whole family. Gradara in particular organises one of Italy’s largest medieval events each year, with hundreds of costumed participants and all kinds of performances.

By car, these wonders are just 15 to 45 minutes from Gabicce. A trip to discover the 12 castles enriches a seaside holiday with culture, history and a good meal at a local trattoria. Hotel Gloria is the ideal starting point from which to explore them all.

Nearby you will also find Mondavio, with its imposing Roveresca fortress designed by Francesco di Giorgio Martini, Mondolfo, perched on a hill with a panoramic view over the plains and the sea, and the extraordinary Urbino, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and birthplace of Raphael. Each village has its own history, its market and its traditions.

Gradara

The Castle of Gradara is one of Italy’s most fascinating medieval villages. These walls hold the legend of Paolo and Francesca, immortalised by Dante Alighieri in the Fifth Canto of the Inferno. The fortress offers a spectacular view over the Adriatic Sea and the surrounding hills.

Mondavio

The Roveresca Fortress of Mondavio is a masterpiece of Renaissance military architecture, designed by Francesco di Giorgio Martini in 1482. The tower dominates the small medieval village surrounded by perfectly preserved walls. Inside you will find weapons, armour and historical artefacts from the 15th century.

Montefiore Conca

Montefiore Conca is a medieval village that looks down over the Conca valley in the province of Rimini. Its Malatesta Fortress, built in 1337, is one of the best-preserved fortresses in Romagna: its battlemented towers and central keep offer a breathtaking view over the hills and, on clear days, as far as the Adriatic Sea. The historic centre, enclosed within ancient walls, preserves churches, palaces and stone alleyways that still carry the scent of the Middle Ages.

San Leo

The Fortress of San Leo rises on a limestone spur that drops sheer over the Montefeltro. Considered one of Italy’s most beautiful fortresses, it housed the famous Cagliostro in the last years of his life. Today it is a permanent museum and offers breathtaking views over the surrounding valley.

Verucchio

Verucchio is the birthplace of the Malatesta, the powerful family that dominated Romagna for centuries. Perched on a crag overlooking the Marecchia valley, its castle — the Malatesta Fortress — offers one of the region’s most spectacular panoramas, with views stretching from the Apennine hills to the Adriatic. The village is also known for its exceptional Villanovian finds preserved in the local archaeological museum.

Pennabilli

Pennabilli is an enchanted village in the Valmarecchia, born from the union of two ancient settlements — Penna and Billi — each with the remains of its own castle. This dual medieval soul can still be felt today while strolling through the stone alleyways and themed gardens created by the poet Tonino Guerra, who lived here and left a unique artistic legacy. Among sculptures, installations and the silence of the hills, Pennabilli is a destination for those seeking authentic beauty far from the beaten tourist track.

Saludecio

Saludecio is a small medieval village perched on a hill in the province of Rimini, enclosed within ancient walls and dominated by the tower of the Palazzo del Podestà. The birthplace of Sant’Amato, the village’s patron saint, it retains a strong historical and religious identity. It is also famous for its IGP red onion, celebrated each summer with a festival that draws visitors from across the region. An authentic place, far from the tourist crowds, where time seems to pass more slowly.

Mondaino

Mondaino is one of the most fascinating and least-known villages in the province of Rimini. Its medieval urban layout has remained extraordinarily intact: the central piazza, the Palazzo Comunale and the stone streets create a timeless atmosphere. Each year the village is transformed to host the Palio del Daino, a Renaissance historical re-enactment with costumed processions, archers and performers who bring the 15th century back to life.

Torriana

Torriana is a medieval village rising on an isolated hill above the Marecchia valley, dominated by the imposing ruins of a Malatesta fortress. The view from up here is among the finest in Romagna: the gaze takes in the valley below, the hills towards San Marino and, on clear days, the blue strip of the sea. The nearby Marecchia River and the evocative Natural Reserve complete a landscape of rare natural beauty.

Santarcangelo di Romagna

Santarcangelo di Romagna is a town rich in history and culture at the foot of the Valmarecchia. Its Malatesta Fortress, which rises majestically on the hill, is visible from dozens of kilometres away. Equally evocative are the hypogea, a system of underground caves dug into the tufa that extends beneath the historic centre: a millennial labyrinth that fascinates and surprises. Santarcangelo is also a lively cultural hub, with festivals, bookshops and craft workshops that animate the village throughout the year.

Urbino

Urbino is one of the jewels of the Italian Renaissance, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Raphael. Its extraordinary Palazzo Ducale, with its battlemented towers rising above the city, houses the National Gallery of the Marche with masterpieces by Piero della Francesca, Raphael and Titian. Walking the cobblestone alleyways of the perfectly preserved historic centre is a timeless experience: Renaissance elegance can be felt at every corner, from courtyards to noble palaces.

Mondolfo

Perched on a hill with a panoramic view over the plains and the sea, Mondolfo is a well-preserved medieval village in the province of Pesaro-Urbino. Its 16th-century walls, the Bastione di Sant’Anna and the stone alleyways of the historic centre tell centuries of history. Just 20 minutes from Gabicce Mare, it makes an ideal cultural day trip between swims: an authentic place, far from the crowds, where time slows down.