Rimini's Seaside Popularity Meets Gothic Churches.

Every summer, tourists flock to Rimini for its long stretch of fabulous beaches. Rimini is a city in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and located on the Adriatic Sea. Next to Venice's Lido is likely the most famous seaside getaway on the Adriatic Riviera. In fact, Rimini has been a hot tourist destination since 1830 as one of Europe's largest and safest beach areas, as well as the accommodating the burgeoning pastime of sea bathing on the Italian Riviera.

Outside the seashore, Rimini is also a sightseer's dream. The Romans found this city in 268AD and prospered as a Malatesta fiefdom from the 13th century onwards. Remnants of the cities history is present in it's small but rich historic centre. Making way to the medieval village of San Guilian, the Tiberius Bridge connects Corso Augusto (Main Road) over the River Marecchia. The Roman bridge is an impressively preserved structure unique in design and form, called a Doric style.

Castel Sismondo, dating back to 1437, is located in the centre of the town. The building is still fascinating to look at with its large square towers and lofty walls, which originally shadowed a surrounding moat.  Little remains of the castle built by Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, but visible are a small part of the great fortification on the Piazza Malatesta. Today, the Italian market is held outside the castle on a regular basis where vendors sell everything from food to clothing. The massive castle also hosts exhibitions and conferences within its characteristic setting containing pointed arches and stone and ceramic inserts.

Rimini's rich historic architecture is also apparent through the Tempio Malatestiano, a gothic structure with an early-Renaissance makeover. The 13th-century church is not far from the Arch of Augustus and the Bridge of Tiberius. Perhaps most recognizable is the churches entranceway and its triangular pediment, over the door, set within geometrical decorations.