A charming town on the Adriatic coast near Rimini, Cattolica is a popular seaside resort, situated on the border with the Marche. Also known by the nickname of "Queen of the Adriatic", was mentioned by Dante Alighieri in canto XXVIII of his "Infernus".
Archaeological excavations evidence the presence in the area of Roman settlements since 200 B.C., however, to the first documented trace is a medieval XIII century act, in which is reported the request of populations of the surrounding hills, that decided to create a new village in the lands of the archbishopric of Ravenna, placing itself under the protection of the city of Rimini. It became a municipality in 1896, when it was separated from the neighboring town of San Giovanni in Marignano and, until 1992, it belonged to the province of Forlì.
In addition to the beautiful and wide sandy beaches, the renowned hospitality, the environment and the new marina, we suggest a visit to:
- the Church of St. Pius V, built in 1858, within which is kept a large picture of the patron Saint of the city;
- the XIII century Church of St Apollinaris, mentioned for the first time in a document dated 1313. The present building dates from 1782, designed by master builder of Rimini, Cupioli, while the Bell tower dates back to 1795;
- the new Church of St. Anthony of Padua, built in the seventies of the XX century;
- the Church of St. Benedict, built in the eighties of the XX century by the architect Franco Vito;
- the Museum of the Regina (Queen), housed in the old Pilgrims' Hospital, which documents the prehistory and history of the Cattolica, with particular attention to the Roman-Republican and the maritime traditions of the city;
- the Aquarium and Marine Park of Cattolica, housed in a complex of the thirties of the XX century, designed by Clement Busiri Vici. Also known as "Le Navi", name that derives from the design of buildings, whose forms and arrangement, recall a dynamic fleet ready to sail the sea. It is considered a cultural and architectural heritage at the international level;
- the Tower Malatesta, probably of Byzantine origin;
- the Piazza delle Sirene, with its famous dancing fountains.