Rocca Malatestiana di Cesena

The Rocca Malatestiana in Cesena stands on the Colle Garampo. The hexagonal fortress was built to defend Cesena, since its walls made it possible to control the whole of the surrounding plain. The complex is made up of several parts: the Corte; two towers (the Mastio and the Palatium) that dominate the large lawn on the slope; a series of corridors and small rooms known as the "Camminamenti interni"; and the Spalti Panoramici, which offer a view over the whole city. Today the Rocca Malatestiana houses the Museo di Storia dell’Agricoltura and an exhibition space devoted to finds from the Malatesta and Renaissance periods.

Good to know

• The building is surrounded by the Parco della Rimembranza, much loved by tourists and residents alike.
• Various legends about secret passages and rooms have grown up around the Camminamenti interni, including a notorious ghost corridor.
• Below the bastions lies the Sferisterio, once used to play palla al bracciale, a national ball game of the sixteenth century.

photo credits - terredelbuonvivere.it