Verucchio

The town has been awarded an Orange Flag by the Italian Touring Club.
Thanks to its spectacular position – on rocky spurs just a short distance
from the sea of which there are magnificent views from here – and its
wonderful buildings that rise up on them and are clearly visible from the
plains, the town attracts numerous visitors, fascinated and enchanted by
its beauty. It is one of the capitals of the Malatesta and their prestigious
history, based on successful battles and fortunate coalitions, began in
its still imposing fortress, built by the family. This is where the Malatesta
centenarian, Mastin Vecchio lived; considered one of the family founders
he was even mentioned by Dante in his Divine Comedy. Verucchio is
traditionally known as the “cradle of the Malatesta”, proof of its close
links with the seignory that owned it for over 300 years from the 12th
century onwards. These origins were keenly contested by Pennabilli
that, as mentioned in the introduction, still claims to be the birthplace
of the family. Verucchio probably represented one of the steps taken by
this rich and increasingly powerful family in their attempts to conquer
Rimini. Even if the family did not originate here, it is certainly where
their reign of power began, which made it possible to consolidate the
defensive buildings and develop residential ones, expanding the village
with the addition of religious and civil buildings. A walk through the
old town, which highlights the mediaeval layout, confirms the important
role played by the Malatesta in its growth. Even in later centuries it
continued to grow and prosper, gradually building a vocation for culture
and tourism. Even long before the Malatesta, Verucchio had been an
important town for a long period. Between the 9th and 7th centuries
BC, it was home to the Villanovan civilization (or rather, the Villanovan-
Verucchio), so-called after its inhabitants, the Villanovans, forefathers
of the Etruscans. Various archaeological digs, some fairly recent, have
unearthed numerous necropolises and settlements, bringing to light
extraordinary artefacts that are extremely rare and thus invaluable.
These include gold and amber jewellery, furniture, weapons and
instruments that can now be found in the Municipal Archaeological
Museum, in the ancient monastery of the Augustinian Fathers. It has
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become an internationally renowned museum and is well worth a visit.
Verucchio also boasts an 18-hole golf course, Rimini Golf Club, with
a club house and practice course, that stands in a prestigious and
delightful estate formerly owned by Caroline Amalia of Brunswick,
consort of George IV, King of England, who lived here for some time
and from whom it takes its name.