A blue line of sea and 15 kilometers of beach from Torre
Pedrera to Miramare - this is the visiting card of the 10
districts of the Municipality of Rimini that overlook the
coast.
Seven kilometers north of Rimini city center lies
Torre Pedrera that welcomes visitors with two kilometers of
sandy beach, characteristic reefs and great hospitality,
guaranteed by the tourist committee CT (tel. 0541.720290)
that is ever ready to organize festivals and events.
A local
market is held every Sunday along the road that skirts the railway line.
The district immediately to the south is
Viserbella (events are organized almost every evening by the
CT tel. 0541.734504), famous for its rich water table whose
springs began to draw holidaymakers here as early as the
start of last century.
Worth visiting is the exhibition on
equipment linked to the world of fishing and on
Mediterranean shells (Rimini, Via Minguzzi, for information and
visits on request tel. 0541.721060).
Viserba (the home of
Italy in Miniature theme park) is famous for the sand
sculpture competition that has been held on the beach here
every summer for more than 50 years (CT tel. 0541.738656).
Two kilometers north of the city center is Rivabella (CT
tel. 0541.26977), the ideal destination for all those who
wish to take the diuretic waters that rise from the same
vein as the Sacramora spring.
Between the Rimini port and the Marecchia River deviator is San Giuliano Mare (CT tel.
0541.730165) that is mainly famous for its fish restaurants
and also nowadays, for its innovative beach organization.
Bellariva is famed for its fish 'grills' and Sangiovese red
wine festivals (CT tel. 0541.382748). Further south is
Marebello (CT tel. 0541.376354) and this is where a lovely
cycle path starts to wind its way along the coast, passing
beside the beach huts. Rivazzurra (CT tel. 0541.372229) is a
must for children because Fiabiliandia, the Riviera’s very
own 'Disneyland', is situated here. The Rimini district that lies
furthest south is Miramare (CT tel. 0541.373435) where on
the free beach holidaymakers will find Riminiterme thermal
spa and, close by, a funfair and go-kart track.
Rimini history
The first bathing establishment was built in 1843. Since then, Rimini has
been the principal summer resort on the Adriatic Coast and one of the most
popular holiday destinations in Italy.
Rimini is also a city of notable historical interest.
In 390 B.C., Rimini was occupied by the Senone Gauls who established a
workshop to coin their own currency.
In 295 B.C. the Romans arrived and founded a real colony in 286. Ariminum
thus acquired strategic importance.
Rimini became a crucial junction for
communications; a starting point for the Flaminian Way leading to Rome (220
B.C.), the Aemilian Way toward Piacenza (197 B.C.) and the Popilian Way
toward Aquileia (132 B.C.).
Caesar passed through Rimini after crossing the Rubicon (50 B.C.). After
him the Emperor Augustus (9 B.C.) also came this way and had the bridge over
the River Marecchia built. The same bridge was later completed by Tiberius,
who gave it its name. It was, in fact, to honor Augustus that the people of
Rimini erected the famous arch, doorway to the city.
After the barbarian invasions Rimini enjoyed a golden age in the 13th
century when it became an independent municipality. New constructions such
as Palazzo dell'Arengo (1204), Palazzo del Podesta' (1330) and new city walls
were added to the city.
An important school of painting developed, due in part to the presence of
Giotto.
In 1295 the Malatesta name appeared and belonged to a family that was not
only concerned with warfare but was also a patron of art. They beautified
the city with works like: the Malatesta Temple, the principle example of
Renaissance architecture, and Sismondo Castle.
Rimini became a crucial junction for
communications; a starting point for the Flaminian Way leading to Rome (220
B.C.), the Aemilian Way toward Piacenza (197 B.C.) and the Popilian Way
toward Aquileia (132 B.C.).