CASTLE OF GRADARA

        Gradara is one of the best medieval villages of Italy and is located along the border of Le Marche and Emilia Romagna. It is a popular destination for day-trippers and offers some interesting historical attractions, including the imposing fortress, known to be one of the best-preserved monuments. You can catch some breathtaking views of this village, that has a castle perched up on the hill and overlooking the waters of the Adriatic Sea. Just on the opposite side, you can view olive groves and farms along with fields and vineyards that catch your attention. The whole village evokes a feeling of calm and tranquility with rows of cypress trees and farm cottages neatly lined up along the hillside.

During the Middle Ages around the year 1150, the nobles Pietro and Ridolfo De Grifo started building the major part of the castle. Over the years, the ownership of this land was transferred to the Malatesta family. As per ancient belief, Francesca da Rimini and her lover, Paulo were killed in the year 1289. Thus, the Malatesta family ruled over Gradara for almost two centuries and defended it for 42 days at the time when their rival, the Sforza family, made all efforts to capture this fortress. However, they lost this castle to the Sforza family in 1464 when Duke Federico of Montefeltro, The Duke of Urbino, was the ruler. In 1493, Giovanni Sforza decorated this castle for his own bride, Lucrezia Borgia who was the daughter of Pope Alexander VI and sister of the lesser-known Caesar. The chapel comprises of a majestically done terracotta altarpiece, which forms the chief attraction in addition to the torture room and the armory found in this castle. This medieval village boasts natural beauty amidst pristine surroundings and a visit around this village offers lot of peace and tranquility.

Castello Malatestiano is definitely worth a visit and the best attraction of this place where one can get a glimpse of the history of this region and learn lots of fascinating facts. Apart from the visit to the Rocca, The Church of Saint Giovanni comprising the lovely wooden crucifix is also recommended. You can see the historical museum and the Olive Trees Garden in this place. If you want to enjoy a spectacular view of the region, then make sure to visit the rounds walkway.

Gradara is also one of the prime art centers, which had a theater in 1289 that recounted one of the heart wrenching stories of the ill-fated love between Paolo Malatesta and Francesca Polenta. Legend has it that the castle was the scene of the famous and tragic love story of Paolo and Francesca, caught in each other’s arms and killed by Gianciotto, Francesca’s husband. This love story was immortalized by Dante in his Divine Comedy. Situated at 142 metres above sea level, with the Republic of San Marino, Rimini and Carpegna in the background, Gradara represents an extraordinary urban and architectural combination.