Casteldelci

A borderland, of untouched beauty. Casteldelci offers a unique encounter between the regions of Romagna, Marche and Tuscany.
In this green crossroads, the Appennines stands proud and imposing, a sight that satisfies the eyes and the mind. The atmosphere of this territory empowers purity: moving away from the village, it is possible to reach the sources of the Tiber, at the foot of Monte Fumaiolo. Not far away, one can also admire the source of the river Marecchia: the river flows from the Monte della Zucca (Pumpkin Mountain), to the Alpe della Luna, and then flows down through the valley which shares its name.

A paradise for hikers and lovers of good food, this territory offers a dense network of paths and mule tracks, accessible on foot, by horse or by bike. Along the routes, the scenery enchants explorers with its primordial appearance. The intact nature offers an ideal environment for the production of cheeses and cured meats and the hospitality offered by the locals is unrivalled.

Immersed in the authentic heart of the Apennines, the village preserves with elegant discretion the memories of a noble past. The history lives in the streets of the village and within the central museum called Casa Museo Sandro Colarieti, which houses archaeological remains from the Palaeolithic era up to the Middle Ages. A journey through time to relive the millennial existence of these lands: from hunting equipment used by primitive man to Roman ceramics, bronze objects and coins from imperial Rome.

The Middle Ages, a period of splendour for Casteldelci, recounts itself in the forts and castles that embellish the village. The mighty tower of Gattara guards the village, built on a rocky spur at the entrance to the village.  The Torre del Monte (Tower of the Mountain) is unusually discreet and has  camouflaged itself in the town.  The bell tower, of medieval origin, was also built with a defensive function and became the bell tower of the nearby church of San Martino later on. The Ponte Vecchio (old bridge) stands out for its charm. This unique viaduct that connects the historical centre to the surrounding natural and fluvial landscape, succeeds with poetic ease in such an ambitious and contemporary role: to make a dialogue between man and nature.

A land of beauty and silence, but also of centuries-old fortunes, Casteldelci gave birth to the proud military leader called Uguccione of the Signori di Faggiola family, the nobles who dominated the town from the 13th to the 14th centuries. Uguccione, defender of Ghibelline ideals, was a friend of Dante Alighieri and housed him in the castle of Casteldelci during the journey of the Great Poet, upon his exile from Florence to Ravenna