Cesena: Malatestian city
Cesena has an ancient and important history, a dynamic present and is ready to welcome who wants to discover its secrets and beauties. Besides the outstanding historic features (with the Malatestian Library as the most stunning example) there are other monuments that are worth a visit: the Malatestian Fortress, the millenary Benedictine Monastery of Santa Maria del Monte, the eighteenth-century Villa Silvia Carducci, seat of the Museum “Musicalia”. The many religious and civic buildings testify the importance that the city and the neighbouring territories had during the last centuries.
Malatestian Library
It’s the first public library in Italy and has no equals in the world. It’s exactly how it was built in 1452 and well-preserved. One of a kind and charming, the Malatestian Library is since 2005 UNESCO World Heritage. It was commissioned by the lord of the city Malatesta Novello and it’s based on the project of Matteo Nuti (1447-1452). The impressive walnut portal leads to the Aula del Nuti (Nuti Room) with a basilical plant with three naves, divided by two rows of 10 columns. The eleven spans host the 58 plutei (pine wood desks for readers) that contain 340 valuable codes, decorated with fine miniatures.
Malatestian Fortress
Cesena owes its signory the fortress too. It’s one of the most impressive in the whole Romagna, with its courtyard and the two central towers: the Mastio or Maschio (male) and the Femmina or Palatium (female). It’s the seat of the agricultural history Museum.
From the glacis the visitor can enjoy a stunning panorama that embraces a large part of Romagna. The communication trench is very impressive too.
A walk along the city walls
The city walls were made by Malatesta Novello that gave the city its actual scorpion shape. A big part of the walls still exist even if they have been lowered. The city has four gates: Porta Santi, Porta Fiume, one of the two Portacce and Porta Montanara.
Benedictine Monastery of Santa Maria del Monte
You can reach the Monastery through the historical Via delle Scalette. On the Spaziano hill there is the millenary Monastery of Santa Maria del Monte, famous for its collection of votive offerings (dating back to more than five centuries ago). It’s one of the most decorated in Europe, with the impressive dome painted by Giuseppe Milani and with the book restoration laboratory (still up and running).
Guides to the territory that may be of interest to you
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Art and Culture
Cesena has an ancient and
important history, a dynamic present and is ready to welcome who wants to
discover its secrets and beauties. Besides the outstanding historic features...
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Art and Culture
Cesena with its old town centre situated “between the plain and the hills” (“fra ‘l piano e ‘l monte”, Dante Alighieri, XXVII canto, Inferno) is one of the most picturesque...
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Art and Culture
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