A charming town in the province of Rimini, Gemmano is, probably, one of the best preserved centers of the entire province. Featuring a wide variety of natural and artistic beauties, the local legends attest that its name derives from "gem in a hand" and tell the tale of an Etruscan soldier, killed by the Romans, while he was bringing a ring to his girlfriend.
Exhibits and documents evidence that the site was already known in the Middle Ages with the name of "fund geminum". Subsequently, the town belonged to the Lords Malatesta, and then to the Papal States until the Unification of Italy. On the three hills, that dominate the municipal area, were built three castles: Onferno, Marazzano and Gemmano, of which remain only some ruins, partially restored. Another local legend reports that the famous Italian writer Dante Alighieri, drew inspiration for the poem of the 'Inferno", after having taken refuge in the caves of Onferno (then known as "Hell"), when he was exiled from Florence.
It was an important and decisive battlefield during the Second World War to break through the famous Gothic Line.
Sites of Interest:
- the ruins of the Castel of Gemmano, recently restored;
- the Caves of Onferno, a majestic natural scenery, result of the erosion, over the centuries, by an underground stream that created gorges and tunnels that run for about 750 meters underground;
- the Natural Reserve, 123 hectares of dense vegetation, rich in rare wildlife;
- the Museum of Nature Reserve, a natural history museum with permanent exhibition for educational purposes;
- the small Church of Santa Maria of Carbognano, which preserves inside a beautiful XVI century image of the Virgin.