Forli is undoubtedly a charming city full of monuments, interesting buildings and churches, which makes it a perfect place for travelers looking for Italian history. Forlì’s history is rich and dates back to ancient times, with numerous traces of Etruscan and Roman settlements scattered throughout the area. History buffs will delight in architectural landmarks that have stood the test of time, such as the impressive Rocca di Ravaldino. Once the home of the notorious condottiere Caterina Sforza, this medieval castle offers panoramic views of the city and allows you to immerse yourself in its turbulent past.
Forli is a city located in the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy. It is located 30 kilometers from the Adriatic Sea.
Drive:
By plane – There is an airport in Forlì itself, but it does not currently serve scheduled traffic. There are two large airports nearby: Bologna and Rimini.
By rail – Forlì is located on the Bologna-Ancona railway line.
By car – Cesena is located on the A14 Bologna-Bari Adriatic Motorway.
SIGHTSEEING:
Rocca di Ravaldino
The fortress of Forlì is a true fortified citadel as it was also the seat of the army of Caterina Sforza and Girolamo Riario. The fortress was the main residence of the couple and the lords after the destruction of the Riario palace which stood in the square of Forlì after the assassination of Girolamo by the Orsi family. The countess lived here for a long time, she had her herb and spice garden here and some of the most famous episodes of her history took place here. Here Caterina had the famous Paradise built, which was nothing more than a sort of annex with its private apartments and a courtyard.
Abbey of Saint Mercurialis of Forlì
Abbey of San Mercuriale is one of the prime landmarks of Forlì town. One of its striking features is the 75-meter bell tower, which is counted as one of the highest steeples in the country. The present-day abbey building was completed in the year 1180 and serves as a fine example of Lombard-Romanesque architectural style.
Piazza Aurelio Saffi
The heart of the city is definitely Forlì, Piazza Saffi, located at the intersection of four main communication arteries. It has the shape of a trapezoid, is 128 m long and 87 m wide.
Important monuments along the square include: Palazzo Comunale, Palazzo del Podestà, Palazzo Albertini, Palazzo del Credito Romagnolo, Basilica of San Mercuriale, Palazzo delle Poste e dei Telegrafi. In the center of the square is the monument to Aurelio Saffi, made by the sculptor Filippo Cifariello from Naples and inaugurated in 1921; it was rebuilt after being destroyed by a bomb in 1944.
Hercolani Palace
Until 1844, it was owned by the Hercolani family. The condottiere Cesare Hercolani (1499 – 1534) lived here, and then Filippo Hercolani, a diplomat in the Austrian service, marquis de Florimonte.
Museums of San Domenico
Museum San Domenico is a complex of museums in Forlì. They are located in a restored 13th-century Dominican monastery. Inside the complex there is the seat of the civic museums of the city of Forli and a monastery hall with frescoes depicting a dinner, seriously damaged by soldiers during the Napoleonic period. The complex consists of five buildings: Palazzo Pasquali, Chiesa di San Giacomo Apostolo, Convento dei Domenicani, Convento degli Agostiniani and Sala Santa Caterina. The Museo San Domenico houses the Germano Sartelli archival collection.
Porta Schiavonia
One of the city gates – Porta Schiavonia – has also been preserved in Forli. It is said that the city was probably surrounded by defensive walls in the past, and the last remnant of them is the mentioned gate.
Diego Fabbri Theater in Forlì
“Diego Fabbri” from Forlì is undoubtedly the main theater of the city. It is located on Corso Diaz 47, in the historic center and not far from the central Piazza Saffi. The theater’s very rich program includes prose, contemporary, contemporary, dance, operetta, comedy, family and musical events. All with 700 seats (500 at the stands, the rest in the gallery).
GREEN SPACE:
Resistance Park in Forlì
Parco via Dragoni
Franco Agosto Urban Park
