Bertinoro
municipality of bertinoro
(Province of Forlì Cesena)
Altitude
m. 254 s.l.m.
population
11102 (538 nel borgo)
patron saint
Santa Caterina 25 novembre
turist information
Ufficio Informazioni Turistiche
Piazza Libertà 9c, orari di apertura: lunedì, mercoledì e venerdì 9.00 – 14.00; martedì e giovedì 9.30 – 13.30 e 14.30 – 18.00.
Dal 1 giugno al 15 settembre, festivi e prefestivi 9.00 – 17.00
Tel. 0543 469213 – E-mail: turismo@comune.bertinoro.fc.it
INSTAGRAM: visitbertinoro
FACEBOOK: Ufficio Turismo Bertinoro
Located in the heart of Romagna, Bertinoro overlooks a fascinating landscape, where the view goes as far as to the sea: it is not by chance that it is called the “Balcony of Romagna”.
Bertinoro is a typical example of a medieval citadel, featuring walls, towers and old houses, also known as the “City of Wine”. A number of wineries can be visited to taste the typical excellent local wines Albana and Sangiovese.
From the top of Mount Cesubeo, a millenary fortress towers over the citadel. It dates to a time before the 10th century and was the residence of Emperor Federico Barbarossa in 1177 and then it became the bishop’s seat in 1584.
Today the Fortress is home to the University Residential Centre of Bertinoro of Alma Mater Studiorum of Bologna and the Interreligious Museum, which investigates the common aspects of the three monotheist religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Bertinoro is also considered the “Town of Hospitality” because of the presence of the Column of Twelve Rings, each ring corresponding to one of the twelve families of the town; a stranger who arrived and tied up his horse to one of the rings was the guest of the family to whom the ring belonged. The tradition is repeated every year on the first Sunday of September.
At about 5 km from Bertinoro stands the famous Pieve di San Donato in Polenta, a romanesque church dating to before the 10th century and praised by poet Giosuè Carducci. At the same distance, Fratta Terme with its fully renovated spa, which was already known in Roman times for its ancient therapeutic water sources.
Bertinoro is known as the “Balcony of Romagna” for its magnificent view overlooking the hills and the sea.
Piazza della Libertà, with its splendid 14th-century Ordelaffi palace, the Clock Tower, the imposing Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria, and the ancient Fortress, bear witness to its rich history. Bertinoro is celebrated as the “City of Hospitality,” symbolized by the Column of Rings, around which the town’s most important annual festival takes place.
The Interreligious Museum housed within the Fortress and the ancient Pieve of Polenta, praised by Giosuè Carducci and visited by Dante Alighieri, are must-see landmarks. Additionally, the renowned thermal center in Fratta Terme adds to its charm.
In addition to Sangiovese, Bertinoro is renowned for Albana which became the first white wine in Italy to receive the prestigious DOCG certification in 1987.
A special mention also goes to the extra virgin olive oil produced in the area, a staple of the local culinary tradition.
The queen of Romagnolo tables is undoubtedly piadina: made with simple ingredients, it pairs perfectly with coldcuts and squacquerone, a very soft, round, rindless cheese of humble origins.
Cappelletti, passatelli and the traditional tagliatelle are just a few of the many hand-made pasta dishes prepared by skilled Romagnolo artisans, known as sfogline.
Hospitality Feast
On the first weekend of September, the town celebrates its most iconic festival with concerts, cultural events, and the unmissable moments of the grape harvest dinner and the hospitality ritual.
Conversation, music and wine afternoons
From january to march, this Sunday afternoon cultural series combines literature, music, and tastings of local wines and products.
Summer in Bertinoro
The summer event calendar of the “Balcony of Romagna” offers various occasions to enjoy music and fine cuisine. The season’s highlight is the great concerts held in the enchanting setting of the Rocca gardens.
Fratta Terme offers seven types of waters and excellent wellness treatments. Surrounded by a large park, it also hosts events and sports activities. Amid gentle hills and vineyards, visitors can explore the town and its surroundings through themed routes in the historic center and trails across the countryside, either by walking or cycling.
