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The excursion to San Leo and Montefeltro just 20 km from Rimini is a tour not to be missed... the enchanted landscapes where you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the times , dream and imagine the life of past ages... very respectable guides will tell you the mysteries , legends and curiosities of these wonderful countries.
Some interesting facts: San Leo takes its name from St. Leo, which came together in San Marino from the distant coasts of Dalmatia and who became the first bishop after evangelized the area. The entire surrounding area is named after Mount St. Leo. Montefeltro instead derives from the Latin Mons Coffin as tradition has it that the current location of the Cathedral of St. Leo was occupied by a temple dedicated to Jupiter Feretrius.
Much to visit in the area of San Leo and Montefeltro:
The CONVENT SANT'IGNE - It is supposed to have been founded by St. Francis and dates from the XIII century , the Convent of Sant'Igne preserved in the little church , depicting the Madonna Enthroned with Child and Saints (1535) and a piece of trunk of the elm under which the saint preached at the time.
The CATHEDRAL - Made of sandstone and dedicated to the worship of the Holy Lion, since 1173 the church was completely renovated in the forms ( Romanesque -Lombard ) in which we still admire today. It was also coupled with the impressive bell tower that has a probably of Byzantine origin. In the central apse of the sanctuary houses a crucifix dating from the XIII century, in the crypt columns instead have Byzantine capitals.
The FORTRESS - Built on top of the rock outcrop that seems suspended in miraculous balance is an architectural work of great value. In the beginning there was only the original early medieval nucleus where 961-963 King Berengar of Italy was besieged by Otto I of Germany. Subsequently, between the XIII and XIV century it was enlarged when the Malatesta were able to subtract St. Leo the Montefeltro.
The medieval keep, defended by square towers was completely redesigned at the behest of Federico da Montefeltro in 1479 by the Sienese architect Francesco di Giorgio Martini. The architect came up with a double curtain that still unites the powerful circular towers. This new form was to be able to respond to the fire hitting the enemy with shots cross, wherever the enemy attack would come. The battles that saw the hero fortress during the Renaissance fueled the fame of its impregnability. The Fortress is also famous because from 1791 until his death ( in 1795 ) was imprisoned the Count of Cagliostro , one of the most enigmatic adventurers of the Enlightenment which still hovers around an aura of mystery.
The PARISH CHURCH - Modernized in Romanesque but already built in the Carolingian period , according to tradition, the church would be built between the eighth and tenth centuries on the site of the original St. Leo the little cell in which he used to retire for prayer. Whole blocks of stone with the '' inside a church plan with three naves separated by pillars and columns, the church was raised with recycled materials from the Roman period. You can admire a ciborium of the ninth century that gathers around itself the core of the medieval town.
ROMANICO THE CORE OF THE VILLAGE - The Cathedral, the church and the tower are compared in Piazza Dante Alighieri with the civil buildings : Palazzo Nardini (XIII - XVI century). St. Francis where he was a guest back in 1213 and the Medici Palace built by the Lords Della Rovere and later remodeled by the dominion of the Medici (1517-1521) Palazzo Della Rovere (residence of the counts and dukes of Montefeltro of Urbino, now the Town Hall ). Absolutely to visit the church of Our Lady of Loreto and the houses built between the XIV and IX centuries.
16/07/2011
