Page 243 - DK Eyewitness: Back Roads Northern and Central Italy (Travel Guide)

DRIVE 24: Montefeltro Mountains 241

beds carved into the rock. Believed Left San Marino’s elegant Palazzo Pubblico,
to be those of St Marino and his built in 1884 Below Peaceful Santarcangelo
companion St Leo, they are said by di Romagna, a change of pace from Rimini
many to have healing powers.
Below the square to the right, EAT AND DRINK
Contrada Omagnano 4 leads to the
northernmost point on the cliff, and SANTARCANGELO DI ROMAGNA
the cable car (down to Borgo Lazaroun moderate
Maggiore, every 12 miutes). A sharp Enjoy classic Romagnolo cooking, with
left into narrow Contrada di Pianello well-presented dishes such as rabbit
salad, pheasant with prunes and
leads to Piazza della Libertà 5 and chestnuts, and amaretti semifreddo.
San Marino’s Palazzo Pubblico – a Via del Platano 21, 47822; 0541 624
mini palace for a mini republic. There 417; www.lazaroun.it
is a Changing of the Guard (May–Sep) VERUCCHIO
every hour on the half hour. Continue
along Contrada del Collegio, but at Ristorante La Rocca moderate
Stop in on the walk up to the rocca –
the next junction take a slight left the quality of the food is almost as
this sheer precipice. Returning down uphill along Contrada della Croce. spectacular as the views.
Salita alla Cesta, there is a path to the At the city wall, turn right, down to Via Rocca 34, 47826; 0541 679 850;
right, Passo delle Streghe (Witches Viale Donna Felicissima and Piazza www.ristorantelaroccaverucchio.com;
Way), through parkland to the First Garibaldi 6. The porticoed loggia closed Wed eve & Mon–Thu lunch
Tower (Guaita) 2. This slightly larger of San Francesco graces this busy THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO
castle shares the views of its little square. The church itself Cantina di Bacco inexpensive
twin. It was used as a prison is now a small museum and Refreshingly old-fashioned place in the
as recently as 1975 and still picture gallery (included in middle of town selling local specialities.
has prisoners’ graffiti in some the ticket for the towers). Contrada Santa Croce 35, 47822; 0549
992 840; www.cantinadibacco.net
rooms. Continue down A few steps downhill is the
Salita della Rocca, past the Piazza del Titano and the Ristorante Bolognese inexpensive
Typically hearty Bolognese food. Try
trinket sellers. As the path state museum, the Palazzo the stringhetti al sugo di verdure (pasta
sweeps around to the left, Pergami-Belluzzi 7 (open with vegetable sauce).
continue straight on into daily), which has some Via Basilicus 28, 47890; 0549 991 299
what looks like a restaurant, archeological finds and
signed “Ingresso Giardino”. minor artworks.
This is a public right of way. Statue of Liberty, Exit right from the museum
Enter, then go down some Palazzo Pubblico and walk beside the Chiesa
steps into the Bishop’s di San Francesco – look for
Garden. From here another stone the Templar symbol in the stonework
staircase leads to narrow Contrada at the base of the church. Continue
Magazzini, then into Piazza Domus along to Piazza Sant’Agata, then
Plebis 3. The Basilica di San Marino follow the city wall left, up to Via
was built here at the beginning of della Fratta and the car park.
the 19th century over a Roman ª Zig-zag down to Borgo Maggiore,
church. It is grand but a bit empty. turn left at the roundabout for San Leo
The sweet little church next door, the and on to SP 258 left to San Leo. Drive
Chiesa di San Pietro, contains two into town and park in the main square.

0 metres 250
Cable Car STRADA SOTTOMONTANA
Piazza
Domus Plebis 0 yards 250
CONTRADA
First Tower
CONTRADA OMAGNANO
DEI PIANELLO
CONTRADA
Piazza DEI MAGAZZENI PIAZZA
della Libertà COLLEGIO SALITA ALLA ROCCA ARBE
SAT. A LLA RO CCA PASSO
CONTRADA DEL
CONTRADA
Palazzo Piazza
DELLA C ROCE
Pergami-Belluzzi
Garibaldi VIA DELLA
Second
FRATTA
SALITA ALLA CESTA
PIAZZA Tower
ST. AGATA Tennis
VIA PIETRO TONNINI
Courts
V I A P I A N A
PZALE. MARINO
CALCIGNI VIALE AN TO NI O ONO F RI M o u n t T i t a n o
V I A P I A N A
SALITA AL MONTALE
VIA NAPOLEONE BONAPARTE
VIA G I NO G I ACOMI NI
V I A P I A N A V I A P I A N A V I A L E F E D E R I C O D ’ U R B I N O
Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under €25; moderate, €25–€45; expensive, over €45
240-245_Back_Roads_Northern_Italy.indd 241 21/09/17 2:39 pm