Forlì-Cesena: Culture, Mountains and Cycling Routes for Your Trip to Italy

Culture Between Antiquity, Fortresses and Art

The Province of Forlì-Cesena lies in the southeast of Emilia-Romagna and combines medieval castles and fortresses with landscapes of vineyards and olive groves. Its cultural heritage ranges from Roman remains to 20th-century architecture and art.

At the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Sarsina, you can see mainly archaeological finds originating locally, dating from prehistory to Late Antiquity. A particular focus is on the Roman period from the 1st century BC to the 2nd or 3rd century BC. The exhibits include reassembled Roman funerary monuments, including the 13.5 m-high pedimented mausoleum of Rufus, which was built towards the end of the 1st century BC. The renovated museum reopened to the public after extensive restoration.

In Dovadola, the Rocca dei Conti Guidi is an important example of medieval military architecture. The fortress has largely preserved the lines of its 14th-century wall structures unchanged. In Terra del Sole, the town fortifications extend for more than 2 km and preserve the character of a fortified town.

Cesena combines historical and religious impressions: the Abbazia di Santa Maria del Monte is an ancient Benedictine monastery on Colle Spaziano. The Basilica of Santa Maria del Monte, attached to the monastery, is a diocesan Marian shrine. The abbey welcomes visitors for the celebration of the Assumption of Mary as well as on 31 May for the conclusion of the Marian month. Another tour in Cesena leads along the inner ramparts, the old prisons and an exhibition of tournament weapons.

Near Galeata, the Villa di Teodorico is considered an important testament to the history, culture and identity of the region. In the Roman town of Mevaniola near Galeata, parts of the baths and the small theatre are open to visitors. Forlì adds to the historical picture with a collection of 70 paintings assembled under the common theme of work, featuring works from important Italian art movements of the mid-20th century. In Predappio, a year-round, signposted walking tour leads to important, almost unchanged examples of architecture from the Fascist era.

Nature, Mountains and Trails

The Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e Campigna covers areas in the Province of Forlì-Cesena as well as in the provinces of Arezzo and Florence. The national park extends over approximately 36,000 hectares, divided equally between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany.

For active days, the park offers hiking, mountain biking and horse riding; in winter, ski touring and snowshoeing are also available. In total, around 600 km of trails are available for these activities. The trail network is supplemented by nine Sentieri Natura and, in Campigna, by the “Sentiero per tutti… i sensi”, a trail accessible to everyone. Near the Cascata dell’Acquacheta, there is a waterfall approximately 70 m high.

Monte Fumaiolo is a protected mountain area offering opportunities for trekking, mountain biking, climbing, horse riding and winter sports. This makes it possible to combine the region, depending on your interests, with peaceful landscapes, sporting activities or cultural visits.

Cycling Routes, Pilgrimage Trails and Regional Specialities

The official Via Romea Germanica branches off into several routes near Forlì and Cesena. From Forlì, it leads through the Bidente Valley via Meldola, Civitella di Romagna, Galeata and Santa Sofia to Campigna. The Rubicone Tour Bike is a cycling circuit through the Province of Forlì-Cesena suitable for all ability levels, taking in historical, cultural and scenic attractions.

Thanks to special facilities and numerous related services, Cesenatico is considered a centre of cycling tourism. Cesenatico also hosts the Nove Colli, a cycling gran fondo event. The Food and Wine Route of Forlì-Cesena was expanded to include eleven mountain municipalities and has since covered 534 km. It includes typical DOC wines of Romagna such as Albana, Sangiovese, Trebbiano, Cagnina and Pagadebit, as well as cheese from Romagna, extra virgin olive oil, fruit and vegetables, mushrooms, truffles and piadina.

Culinary interests can also be combined with the region’s wines and specialities.

Other Places in Forlì-Cesena

Gatteo A Mare, Modigliana, Bertinoro, Cesena, Cesenatico, Longiano, Cento, Castrocaro Terme, Borello, Bagno Di Romagna, Forlimpopoli, Mercato Saraceno, San Vittore, Il Monte, Villamarina, Civitella Di Romagna, Quarto, Fratta Terme, Savignano Sul Rubicone, Montecchio, San Mauro A Mare, Montiano, Sala, San Mauro Pascoli, Cagnona, Verghereto, San Piero In Bagno, Santa Sofia, Campigna, Ronco, Corniolo, Gatteo-Sant'angelo, Santa Maria Nuova, Galeata, Montepetra, Alfero, Meldola, San Benedetto In Alpe, Camposonaldo, Fiumana, Montetiffi, Premilcuore, Balze, Predappio Alta, Borghi, Predappio, Selva-Ansaldo, Dovadola, Terra del Sole, Roncofreddo, Forlì, Rocca San Casciano, Gambettola, Portico E San Benedetto, Tredozio, Carpinello, Sogliano Al Rubicone, Musano.

For the higher-level travel overview: Emilia-Romagna.