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[Regions
of Italy]
If your idea of wonderful is to visit wave after wave of rolling hills, each one capped by a mystical castle, blessed with a magnificent view of the sea and blanketed by a cluster of medieval homes cascading down the slopes toward a pristine valley dotted with olive groves and beech forests, then spend a few days off the beaten track in Montefeltro. You can start your trip with a visit to the breathtaking Byzantine churches at Ravenna, and you can wind it up in the nearby Republic of San Marino. In between, you'll see a host of charming hill towns, savor lots of fabulous food and, unlike in Tuscany, you'll probably never hear native English being spoken in the streets.
Begin your trip by traveling south from Ravenna on route 67, past Forlì and along the northern edge of Montefeltro to Portico di Romagna. Dante Alighieri, one of the many famous artists who have waxed poetic about this tiny corner of Italy, met his beloved Beatrice in this town, which has not changed much in the intervening centuries. Home to only 300 residents, it boasts a fascinating foot bridge that has remained intact. Walk along the narrow streets paved in terra cotta, flanked by rough stone houses where geraniums provide generous splashes of bright red, and soon you'll start to forget you're living in the twentieth century. You'd do well to spend the night in this delightful town (see below).
Next morning, retrace your tracks a few miles along route 67 to Rocca San Casciano, where
you'll take the winding, picturesque road toward San Piero in Bagno. You might want to stop along the way in Galeata,
to peek into the fifth-century church of Sant'Ellero. Beyond the Carnaio Pass lies San Piero in Bagno, where you
turn north onto route 71, past di Quarto Lake and on into tiny Sarsina. The ancient playwright Plautus was born
here, and for centuries it has been rumored that exorcisms are performed regularly in the church of San Vicinio.
There's a pretty Romanesque cathedral and a small archeological museum. Continue on route 71 to Cesena, then south
on route 9. You should get to Santarcangelo di Romagna just in time for a late lunch at the Osteria Sangiovese,
an inexpensive and unpretentious spot that was a favorite of Federico Fellini, who immortalized this area in his
film Amarcord. Be brave and try some local dishes - they have strange names and may sound unappealing, but
if you take the risk you'll understand why the Italians consider the food of Montefeltro to be some of the best
their nation produces. After lunch, hop back on route 9 and continue south to route 423. Drive a few miles east,
then veer right onto the small provincial road to Montegridolfo, a fairy-tale village-in-a-castle. You can spend
the night here in another fine inn (see below).
If you happen to be here between July 25 and August 3, start your next day with a very brief detour to the charming hamlet of Saleducio. During this period the steep narrow streets are lined with murals painted by artists from all over Europe, as part of the 17th-Century Festival. Even at other times of the year it's worth coming here for the view of brilliant green valleys and deep blue sea, either from the terrace at the bottom of the town or from the 18th-century belltower at the top of the hill.
Morciano di Romagna is five miles north, and here you join up with the larger road that will take you east, past one tiny hill after another with names like Mercatino Conca, Monte Cerignone, and Pietrarubbia. Just after Carpegna (famous for its prosciutto crudo), take the six-mile road for Pennabili, an unforgettable hillside journey through dense oak woods, with snow-capped Mounts Carpegna and Simoncello visible in the distance. Pennabili is actually an "upside-down hill town," being built in a hollow between two cliffs. On one is a medieval castle and Augustan monastery; the other is home to the church of S. Agostino, where you can admire the 15th-century organ.
Now head for route 258 and drive north one mile (towards Rimini), then take another panoramic side road, park your car and walk through the ancient archway into Petrella Guidi, a minuscule hamlet with a 1000-year-old tower you might call the "Chinese Theatre" of Italy. Set into the pavement in the Campo dei Nomi (Name Square) are colorful tiles dedicated to Federico Fellini, his wife Giulietta Masini and Marcello Mastroianni. It is rumored that many movie stars hang out in this town, but don't tell anyone this well-kept secret!
It's just a hop, skip and jump across the hills to Sant'Agata Feltria, where the local specialty is the delicious if unpleasantly named "pit cheese," aged in special caves in the ground, which causes it to lose 20% of its fat. If you can, try to visit the lovely little Teatro Mariani. A few miles outside of town, on the road to Novafeltria, is the 14th-century church of Santa Maria d'Antico. If it's open, take the time to step inside and see the Luca Della Robbia Madonna. When you get to Novafeltria, make sure you walk as far as the main square. You'll be rewarded by the incredibly ornate 19th-century Grand Italia bar. A magnificent example of Liberty style décor, it is as gorgeous as it is out of place in this tiny medieval town.
At this point you can take a detour and head for San Leo, which marks the spot where the beaten track begins. When you see the imposing castle that literally clings to the side of its hill, you'll understand why it has become a mecca for Italian travelers. Our itinerary leads us east on route 258 to Verucchio, the last medieval gem on our little-known necklace. This town's 14th-century castle was once home to the Malatestas, the powerful family who ruled over this part of Italy for many years. They were great patrons of the arts, and it seems their interests have become a local tradition: during the summer and fall you'll find excellent concerts and artistic events scheduled in every one of these enchanting rockbound enclaves.
Click here for some places to stay in the area.
Perlini (Piazza del Mercato 4, Sant'Agata di Feltria; tel. 0541/929-637) is an excellent family-run trattoria serving delicious specialties. Be sure to try the Sangiovese, a well-known local red wine and, in the fall, anything made with truffles. Closed Saturdays, no credit cards accepted. $20.-35./person with wine.
La Sangiovesa (Via Saffi 27, Sant'Arcangelo di Romagna; tel. 0541/620-710), in an ancient wine cellar, is known for its fresh pasta (and this is the best part of Italy for that delightful treat!). The murals depicting well-endowed women may look Felliniesque, and that is because they were painted by one of his favorite screenwriters, Tonino Guerra. Closed Mondays for lunch, all major credit cards. $30./person without wine.
For more information and schedules of local concerts and festivals, please click here.
[Regions
of Italy]