RIMINI – “Ibiza of the Adriatic”
Rimini is a city of art and the capital of the province, and a visit is worthwhile to its
monuments, which are the living expression of its past glory as a Roman outpost and stronghold, to later become the capital of the Malatesta Seigniory, who left a legacy of some of the most significant monuments in the history of art, such as the Malatesta Temple, an emblem of the Renaissance. Birthplace of Federico Fellini, Rimini is Europe’s largest seaside resort. With it comes the good and the bad, the tasteful and the down right brash. It has a large commercial club culture – amounting to around 150 clubs at the last count, but thankfully it also has a fine old town. The water is perfect with a soft and velvety shore that slopes gently into the shallows. The sun is hot, but not too hot for comfort. Warmth is everywhere, the warmth of people of all ages and from all countries, come to meet other people at Rimini.
Rimini is a main summer holiday destination for the Italians and the vast beach is crowded with colourfull sun umbrellas and deck chairs throughout the sunny season. Because of this the town has a vibrant night life and the centre has many nightclubs and attractions. Along side this Rimini has a rich cultural history with many historic churches and buildings.
The Arch of Augustus – The arch was built in 27 B.C. as an honorary gate to celebrate Octavian Augustus. Is made entirely of Istrian limestone. It once formed part of the stone-built city walls, the remains of which are still visible, but is now isolated because the adjacent structures were demolished in the 1930′s. The structure, which was originally topped by a parapet bearing a statue of the Emperor, is richly decorated with religious and political references. The archway was simply intended as a gateway into the town and recent excavations have revealed that the arch was attached to the city walls.
The Malatesta Temple – This is one of the finest and most facinating structures in Rimini. Giotto decorated the Temple, which was built on the site of the 13th century church of San Francesco, and indeed one of his wooden crucifixes is
still housed inside. It was conceived by Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta as a memorial tomb for his family and although building work began in 1447 it was still incomplete on his death. It features as an excellent example of the beauty of true Renaissance-style architecture. The temple, which was recently consecrated a basilica, has undergone restoration work financed by the Cassa di Risparmio di Rimini Foundation. Its completion, in Jubilee year, returned the marble and bright colors of the interior chapels to their former splendour.
Rimini is famous for its nightlife, and is known as the “Ibiza of the Adriatic”. The city itself does not have any clubs, but many of its bars have dance floors that are frequently packed. Here the atmosphere is more geared to tourists and families. The city is notable in disco music history for its Cosmic Club who’s DJ Daniele Baldelli played records from a moving elevator to the young experimental audience. Baldelli’s important contribution to the world of DJing is perhaps overshadowed by his American counterparts, Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy. You will find a large number of wine bars, pubs and creperies in the three small squares that stretch from the old fish market to the main street in the city. The zone is packed with the young people all year round and generally is the first stop on an evening out where they mix and invite each other to the discotheques later in the evening. You can begin with the Black Cock, then move on to La Cantinetta, or choose one of the bars for a drink and then head for the marble tables of the fish market. Any combination is fine but be careful as the setting is so pleasant you may not wish to leave for the entire evening.
The Aquafan water park is located in the town of Rimini. This
is the largest water park throughout the whole of Europe and is open during the months ranging from June to September. This is an excellent place to enjoy hours of fun filled family entertainment. The rides and slides are state-of-the-art and are updated and renewed on a regular basis. The park is open daily from 10am – 6:30pm. Guests can look forward to some exciting water attractions, such as the Elephant pool, the Baby Lagoon, the Enchanted Hill, the Baby Antarctic Beach, a Surfing Hill, a Kamikaze Twist slide, a wave pool and white water rapid rides.
