The excavation of Piazza Ferrari and Surgeon's House

The archaeological complex, which was developed starting from the Roman to medieval times, was discovered in 1989 during the works on the street network. 

The excavation, conducted by the Superintendence for Archaeological Heritage of the Emilia Romagna region in collaboration with the Municipal Museums of Rimini, has brought to light one of the houses of the second half of the second century AD, built in an area already inhabited in the Republican time, not far away from the port of Ariminum.

Prestigious well-preserved mosaics and colorful frescoes are depicted in this residence for private and professional use. Amongst the areas of representation, stands out the “triclinium” decorated with a mosaic of a large vase and, on the walls, frescoed ceilings and an elegant glass panel depicting fish on the seabed, elaborate decorations which have been almost perfectly preserved and offer an astonishing feel of what a real Roman house looked and felt like. In order to maintain that sense of authenticity and because the house was in such a good condition, the Municipalities of Rimini decided to raise a museum on the spot, protecting this important archeological site and also allowing tourists to visit the domus, right where it was found. 

In the room with the elegant Orpheus mosaic there was findings of a rich surgical kit with mortars for the preparation of drugs, testimony to the medical activity performed by the owner, resulting in the name- Surgeon’s House.

The domus, which used to spread on two floors, was destroyed by a fire in the second half of the third century, under the assaults of the first barbarian hordes.

Between the V and VI century on the ruins of the front, grew a residence with mosaics in geometric patterns. The technique of heating visible in some rooms denotes the prestige of the building (“palazzo”) and, accordingly, the nature of its latter owners. Once you have entered, among the front room you can clearly see the ruins of graves embedded in the floor.

In the seventh century, the area was occupied by a residence with poor building techniques, which left the field to an open space.

The important archaeological site is at the center of a proposed museum. The materials recovered include a vast collection of medical and surgical toolsets, proving the advance nature of medicine during those times and being part of one of the largest and well kept professional set of medical equipments found. The collection is on display in the nearby Museum of the City.

Rimini-bici: Free Bike Sharing

If you think you don't have enough reasons to love Rimini, here is another one for you: Rimini-Bici. We love to talk about going green and trying to use alternative transportation that will not pollute the air in our city that much, but when it comes to implementing a program, we lose our ways. In Rimini, the Municipality has created Rimini-Bici: a Bike Sharing service provided as free for the folks who live here. The program works in both ways, because the streets are full of bikes, and it's really difficult to drive a car in those conditions, so you'll have to switch to a bike in order to get from one place to another fast.

How to use the bicycle

• To use the bicycle you must be in possession of a key to release it which is personal and can not be duplicated in order to help identify who is using it.

• With your key you can pick any bike in Rimini and in the other 95 municipalities in which the system “Centro anch’io” is installed, as the key is not associated with a particular bike.

• The bike is taken by inserting the key into the lock of the rack in which it remains locked.

• After you use it, it’s mandatory to return the bike in the same stall from which it was removed to regain your key.

Where and how to get the key

The key can be picked up at the Office of Public Relations of the City of Rimini (URP - Ufficio per le Relazioni con il Pubblico del Comune di Rimini).

To take one of the keys you need to:

- Present a valid identity document
- Make a deposit of € 10.00 (which will be returned when the citizen will no longer use the service);
- Sign the contract showing all modes of use.

   

The service is also aimed at:

    - Residents in the Region of Emilia-Romagna,

    - Resident in the Province of Pesaro-Urbino,

    - Locals living in Rimini.

Rules for the use of bicycles:

• Respect the schedules: bicycles can be used from 6.00 am to 23.00 every day of the week.
• Lock the bicycle: bicycles are equipped with an anti-theft lock that allows you to "close them" when they are left parked in their use outside the special racks.
• Take a bike only if it is in a good condition for use: report any damage to the number indicated on the rack.
• Present immediate complaint in case of loss of your personal key or in case of theft of the bicycle to the State Police or the Police and notify the URP.
• Conduct and use the bicycle in accordance with the rules of the road and observing the principles of prudence, diligence and protection of the rights of others.
• If you do not follow this rules, the key holder is required to pay the penalties mentioned in the disciplinary delivered with the key.

 

Rimini Mercato - Shopping Markets in Rimini

You’ll stumble upon markets and antiquities stands in Rimini almost every day or evening. The biggest traditional outdoor market held in the Emillia Romagna region, is called “mercato” and takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays morning in Piazza Cavour and Piazza Malatesta, in Rimini’s old city centre.

As for the surrounding suburbs, one can find a “mercato” in almost every direction, at Bellariva, for example, the market is organised along the shoreline on every Thursday during the summer. Meanwhile, the market held at Miramare takes place on Tuesdays, while the one at Viserba on Mondays and at Torre Pedrera on Sundays.

There is even an evening antiquities-market located at Marina Centro on every Tuesday and there are others all the way up and down the coast. In July and August you shouldn’t miss the “Rimini centro vivo” (Rimini- The center is alive) festival held in the center of the city on Wednesdays and Fridays, in the evening.

Covered markets (“Mercato coperto”) open every morning untill 7:30 pm.  

Rimini - Tiberius’ Bridge

Tiberius’ Bridge (Ponte di Tiberio) is the actual Roman bridge over the river Marecchia, the ancient Ariminus around which the first settlement was built. It still makes the connection between the city and the suburbs (Borgo San Giuliano) and acts as a fully functional road for every day traffic. From here begin the consular roads, Emilia and Popilia, to the North. The Via Emilia, outlined in a 187 C. by the consul Aemilius Lepidus, linked Rimini to Piacenza, while across, the Via Popilia reached Ravenna and went to Aquileia.

The bridge was begun by Augustus in 14 AD and completed by Tiberius in AD 21, as reminds the inscription that runs on the interior walls, was essentially important for the architectural design, the grandeur of the structures and the construction technique. Instead, little space is given to the figurative meanings, still keeping some of the symbolic traits. 

Made from Hystrian stone, the Bridge consists of five arches that rest on massive pillars and are fitted with breakwater spurs set at an angle to the axis of the bridge, in order to accommodate the flow of the river and reduce the force of impact, according to one of the most obvious engineering measures. 

The deviation of the first Marecchia river and, more recently, the work for the preparation of a closed basin, have brought to light the remains of stone piers meant to protect the sides of the bank and recent surveys have also revealed that the structure of the bridge rests of a functional system of wooden poles, perfectly isolated from the surrounding water.

The bridge has survived many events that have threatened to destroy it, from earthquakes to floods of the river, from wear over time to episodes of war amongst which the attack inflicted by Narses in 551, during the war between the Goths and Byzantines of which there have remained signs on the last arch facing the village of San Giuliano, is the most recent attempt to undermine it by the retreating Germans. Failed attempt however, as the Bridge built by Tiberius in 21 AD is still standing on the very place it was originally designed. 

Rimini - Arch of Augustus

The Arch, which is the oldest preserved in all of northern Italy, marks the entrance to the city, for those coming from Flaminia, the actual path traced by the Consul Flaminius in 220 BC to connect Rome to Rimini. 

Built in 27 BC as an honorary gate, it expresses the will of the Senate to celebrate the life of Augustus, as shown by the inscription above the arch. The monument was inserted in the old walls of the fort on which, on either side, you can still see the ruins in blocks of local stone. The Arch is now isolated, following the intervention that demolished adjacent buildings, which was executed in the 1930s to give the tower a proper setiing as Rimini’s triumphal Arch.

The original construction, incorporated into two polygonal towers, was surmounted by an attic that must have been completed with a statue of the emperor on horseback or on a chariot: the top, perhaps collapsed due to earthquakes in the Middle Ages or burdened by battlements in the surrounding area. The architecture is enhanced by a richly decorated with political significance and propaganda: an opening so wide that it can not be closed by doors, reminiscent of the peace achieved after a long period of civil wars, the gods represented in the round (Jupiter and Apollo facing outwards, Neptune and Rome looking towards the city) recalled the greatness of Rome and the power of Augustus. 

The divinities depicted in the four ornaments provide a very symbolic characterization of Rimini’s attitude towards Rome, by placing the powerful Jupiter (Zeus in Greek mythology), king of all gods, and Apollo (the god of sun and light) facing Rome in an acknowledgement of the Emperor’s supreme power and domination. On the other side, facing the city, is Neptune the God of water and of the sea, stating once again Rimini’s attachment to the sea and its citizen’s love for it. Next to Neptune, also facing Rimini, stands the image of Roma, the female deity representing Rome and the Roman Empire as a testimony to the city’s rulers and a constant reminder of their status. The entire structure is permeated by a strong religious character that emphasizes the sacred side of the city gate and forever opening to the Empire that it belongs to.

Alongside the so-called bridge of Tiberius, the Arch was made as part of a more general program planning promoted by Augustus and has always been taken as a symbol of the city since the Roman times.

The best hotels in Rimini

Rimini has over 1000 great hotels, and I'm sure that at least one will appeal to you. You can use our hotel descriptions, Rimini photos and maps, restaurant reviews from other tourists to find the best option. The price for a night Rimini, Italy starts at 29 Euro / double room (breakfast included).  We have compiled a list based on visitor reviews, cheapest prices and location. 

The Best Hotels in Rimini

1.  Hotel Stresa *** - If you are looking for a cheap and clean hotel in Rimini, this is probably the best choice. Hotel Stresa is like a gem in Rimini's hospitality, with well equipped and clean rooms (balcony, bathroom with shower, TV, free Wi-Fi, safe, refrigerator), ultra-friendly stuff and free public parking. Every review state that the breakfast was fabulous (italian cheese, salmon, fruits, antipasti, cookies, pancakes).  Hotel Stresa is very closed to the beach (100 meters) and very close to the bus station. If you need a computer, you can use the lobby computer for free. Prices starting at $30 per night.

2. Hotel Haarlem ** - This is a small family hotel, very closed to the sea. The owners are very pleasant and are eager to meet the needs of customers. The rooms are cosy and clean, recently renovated. Visitors thought that the cuisine from Haarlem Hotel was excellent. Prices starting at $32.

3. Hotel Card International **** - This hotel is like a modern flavour of Rimini, with staff ready to give you city directions, train directions or any other information. It's located near the rail station and important cultural attraction. The breakfast is magnificent and the rooms are clean, modern and fresh. If you want to go to the beach, you have to walk for 15 minutes, and if you want to visit the old town and Roman ruins, you have to walk for 15 minutes. Prices starting at $83 per night.

On Rimini-City.com you will find the best deals in town. We will write about the best deals in town. You can also visit cheap rooms in Switzerland.

If you the representant of a Rimini Hotel and you want to promote it, contact us using this mail:

Rimini - The Resort Town

Rimini is a beautiful resort town, located on the Italian Adriatic Riviera. The rich history of these places and the strategic importance of the area have left behind many Roman and Renaissance remains:

• Piazza Tre Martiri
• Cardo Maximus
• Decumanus Maxumus
• Domus del Chirurgo
• Arch of Augustus
• Tiberius Bridge
• the amphitheater

Rimini is also known around the world for its 277 public baths, always ready to welcome guests. The resort offers about 15 km of wide beaches equipped to the last detail, over 1000 hotels, campgrounds, Dolphinarium, 2 amusement parks, hundreds of restaurants and bars, 30 km of trails for cyclists. The Emiglia Romana area is well individualized in terms of cuisine. In Rimini you can taste the delicious dishes of pasta, meat, vegetables, fish and cheese. 

Piazza Tre Martiri

The Piazza Tre Martiri is part of the ancient forum Ariminum, the colony founded by the Romans in 268 BC, situated at the confluence of the two main streets, the Decumanus Maxima and the Cardo Romano. The forum was the center of civic life for the Latin-speaking citizens of Rimini and is to this day a major meeting point for residents and tourists alike.  

At that time of the Roman Empire the square was much bigger, paved with large rectangular stones, now partly visible thanks to openings in enclosures on the side of the Piazza.

Honorary statuettes and valuable architecture created a stunning backdrop to the life of the square, including real life statue of Julius Caesar, situated at the end of the square, facing Rome.

On the other side, a sixteenth century milestone reminds passers-by of the speech that Caesar is said to have addressed to the legions after crossing the Rubicon. In its memory the square, which already carried the name, houses a bronze statue, a copy of the Roman original.

Today, the square is named “Tre Martiri” in honour of three partisans who died in 1944.

Welcome to Rimini City Guide

Welcome to Rimini City Guide

Rimini, also called The City Museum, is a magnificent city located in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Its 15km-long sandy beach, the views, the hotels, the restaurants and the historic buildings made Rimini one of the most famous seaside resorts in Europe. Just like Vernice, Rimini is a city of romance and love. You will never get bored here, you will never be alone here.

Riminy City Guide is for all those who want to visit the city and for Erasmus students coming to study here. We will recommend to you the most interesting places to visit, the best pubs and restaurants, the best places for entertainment and fun.