Gradara Castle

The Castle of Gradara Gradara is a real fortified citadel, which has remained intact despite the wrath of time. Always contested by the militias loyal to the Papal Power and the hot lordships of Romagna and Marche. Furthermore, legend has it that Paolo and Francesca, the two unfortunate lovers narrated in Dante's Divine Comedy, were set right here.

The Gradara stronghold was built in the 12th century and in different eras it belonged to the powerful Italian families: the Malatesta, the Sforza, the Medici and the Della Rovere.

Dante comes back to memory, who in the V Canto of Hell, in the circle of the lustful, tells the tragic love story of 1289 between Paolo (Malatesta) and Francesca (Da Polenta) which took place in this very castle.

Once in front of the fortress it is possible to enter the village carrying the bike by hand or continue pedaling and take Via degli inamorati on the left, the road that runs along the outside of the fortress, on the ground small square ceramics with painted red hearts indicate the route : here you find the Teatro dell'Aria where falconry and birds of prey shows are organised.

Super nice castle/castle, well preserved with lots of small bistros to fortify yourself in the middle. Fully surrounded castle wall, some of which can be walked on.
There was an entrance fee of €11 to visit the inside and walk on the wall, but it was worth it.