Gradara On Paolo and Francesca's foottracks
30 km from Camping Fano
A medieval Borgo of great charm, Gradara is called the lovers’ capital for it witnessed the secret love between Paolo Malatesta and Francesca da Rimini, whose story Dante Alighieri captured in the V cantica of the Inferno.
Gradara shows, through its city walls, the past centuries, rich in ancient deeds and unforgettable passions. Placed between the Marches and the Romagna, Gradara preserves its Middle Ages origin thanks to an intact village rich in images of a charming age. The village (quoted for the first time in 1032 as “curte gradariae") has a very ancient origin as testified by the Roman entrance archway. The fourteenth-century city walls are very fascinating.
The square-shaped fortress, with towers and a massive polygonal Mastio (Fortress) on the Northeast side, was built in the XIII century and still preserves the armoury and the torture room. The city walls have communication trenches which allow visitors to enjoy a charming atmosphere and view. The first row of walls with Guelph and Ghibelline merlons surrounds the fortress, while the second row surrounds both the fortress and the historical centre. The walls are dotted with 14 towers and a fortified main entrance decorated with the Sforza, Della Rovere and Farnese families’ emblems and coat of arms.
The patrol walkways, the sighting towers and the underground galleries complete this city’s fascinating picture
Summer Events
Quasi a celebrare le sue illustri discendenze e i fascinosi personaggi che ne scrissero la storia, ogni estate a luglio si svolge l’evento più atteso tra le numerose feste medievali della zona: l’Assedio al Castello, rievocazione storica in costume dell’assedio subito dalla Gradara nel 1446, durante la dominazione malatestiana ad opera di Federico da Montefeltro e di Francesco Sforza.
Gastronomy
If you want to combine the beauty of this place to some excellent food you must try in one of the many restaurants the "Tagliolini con la Bomba", a home-made countryside dish with olive oil, onions, lard and lots of pepper. Many other tasty dishes from the Marche and Romagna regions are also available.
