Hi, my dearest friends,
During this long weekend, which took place in Italy for Liberation Day, I had the chance to visit some really interesting places. That's why I haven't been able to post any of the locations I visited during these days.
I usually use these holiday periods to visit friends or relatives I know across Italy, but it's also a great opportunity to explore new places and share with you the new photos I take along the way.
Today, in particular, I would like to share with you Sismondo Castle, although this place is also known as Rocca Malatestiana, because it was owned by the Malatesta family. If any of you have been on vacation in Rimini, you'll immediately recognize this beautiful castle, which definitely doesn't go unnoticed.
This castle was built around 1400 and has always been the architectural jewel of the city of Rimini, representing the symbol of power for this family and serving as their luxurious residence.
It was designed by an important architect of the time, the famous Filippo Brunelleschi, who also created Brunelleschi's dome in Florence.
I had already seen this castle several times, even from the inside, and what has always fascinated me from an architectural perspective is that it was designed in a rectangular shape with four corner towers. If you happen to be in the area, I highly recommend visiting the inside, as there are some beautiful frescoes you simply can't miss.
As I mentioned, the castle has now become an art gallery, but at one point, it was transformed from a fortress into a military prison. Incidentally, some of my dear friends who work in this area as archaeologists told me that excavations are underway in its foundations because they've discovered archaeological artifacts dating back to Rimini's Roman period.
If you need information on visiting this must-see spot for history and architecture enthusiasts, I can tell you that the castle is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday, with an entrance fee of €8 for adults and €6 for children aged 6 to 14. Admission is completely free for younger children.
I also recommend climbing the Major Tower, where you'll have a breathtaking panoramic view of the city of Rimini, and there's also an opportunity to sample typical Romagnol dishes in the bar-restaurant located within the castle. However, I should mention that the prices are somewhat high, and I imagine they're even higher now.
During the summer, in the square where the fountains are located in front of the castle, shows are usually organized to the rhythm of music with these fountains. However, these shows only take place during the summer because they require relatively high temperatures.
I hope you enjoyed the photos I shared, and, as usual, that I managed to bring you along with me. See you in my next post, and I wish you all a great weekend!