Can't go around without noticing it. San Leo on his fortress stands out high from the countryside around. The height above the ground is 583 meters and is located about thirty kilometers from Rimini, in Val Malrecchia. And it is immediately clear why it was considered unavoidable: still there is only one road connecting the surroundings and the village. Obviously, even the ancient peoples knew this detail and already in the centuries before Christ was contested and conquered.
The first defensive construction was built by the Romans in the 3rd century, at the highest point. The cliff and the houses had no need for city walls, it was still impossible to get there without being seen. As we see it now, the fortress had Federico da Montefeltro as its creator. The upper part consists of an impressive keep and the lower part is two towers. The building was used for a long time as a prison.
Other important buildings in the city are the Cathedral with the Bell Tower and the Parish Church, all of medieval origins. The Parish Church is the oldest religious building. The Cathedral is a fine example of medieval architecture, erected in the eleventh century and well preserved. The adjacent Bell Tower is now isolated on Mount della Guardia while it was once connected to the cathedral.
The Convent of Sant'Igne is beautiful, of which it is said that the founder was Saint Francis. It remains a few kilometers outside the city and strikes the visitor with an ancient peace and serenity. In the city there are other beautiful and important buildings such as the Medici Palace, the Palazzo della Rovere and Palazzo Nardini.
Really a beautiful old town to visit and to enjoy calmly.