Gemmano Between Caves, Nature and History

Gemmano brings protected landscapes, speleology and history together within a compact thematic area. The Grotte di Onferno, trails through the Conca Valley and historic sites give your trip a range of different focal points.

Nature Reserve and Landscape of the Conca Valley

The Onferno Nature Reserve encompasses the steep sandstone walls of Ripa della Morte, nearby badlands, woodland and agriculturally used areas. At the same time, it protects a small karst complex in Messinian gypsum, as well as other landscape areas of the Conca Valley. The Grotte di Onferno are located within the municipality of Gemmano and are protected within the nature reserve of the same name. Above ground, sandstone walls, badlands, woodland and agricultural areas alternate; below ground, the karst complex in the Messinian gypsum provides a distinct geological focus.

The Sentiero Natura lies in Zone A, an area providing complete protection for flora and fauna. La Via dei Crinali includes a 700-metre-long section along a ridge with views over the Conca.

Grotte di Onferno: Caves and Historical Traces

The Grotte di Onferno are part of the serial UNESCO World Heritage Site “Carsismo e grotte nelle Evaporiti dell'Appennino settentrionale”. The visit includes two differently oriented routes. The 90-minute so-called “tourist” route leads into the resurgence cave and back out again. The 60-minute historical route begins at the fossil entrance and also includes a visit to an ancient kiln complex and a gypsum mill. The different durations provide a clear framework for planning your day; the choice therefore concerns both the time available and the historical focus of the cave visit, as well as the facilities included along the way.

Museum and Regional History

The Museo Naturalistico was established in 1995 by the municipality of Gemmano in the Onferno Nature Reserve. It is housed in the former Pieve di Santa Colomba and presents the geological, speleological, botanical and zoological features of the reserve. Visitors can view the exhibits and interact with them through interactive installations.

The history of the surrounding area can also be explored on foot. The Sentiero della Memoria begins in the centre of Gemmano and leads back to the sites of the Gothic Line. The former church of San Michele in Farneto is an architecturally significant 18th-century building. It stands on a ridge between the historic centre of Gemmano and the district of Onferno. The former church of San Michele in Farneto adds an 18th-century building to the historic trails.

Planning Between Nature, Culture and Regional Cuisine

From Rimini, you can reach the nature reserve via the SP31 to Coriano, then via the SP18 towards Gemmano, and finally by following the signs to the Grotte di Onferno. The Sagra della Pappardella al Cinghiale was held in Gemmano for more than 30 years as a gastronomic Ferragosto festival.

For further travel planning, you can also find Petrella Guidi, San Savino, Rimini-Torre Pedrera, Rimini, San Martino Dei Mulini, Scacciano, Cavallino and Poggio Berni.

To the higher-level travel overview: Rimini.