A Day Trip to Rimini

The town of Rimini is an ancient one, founded as Ariminum by the Romans in 268BC. Its combination of Roman ruins, seascape and good seafood make it an interesting choice for a day trip from Bologna.

Roman Rimini

Rimini is at one end of the Via Emilia which passes through the centre of Bologna and finishes in Piacenza, or Placentia in Latin. This road was completed in 187BC and follows more or less a straight line for 260km. One of the most impressive sites in Rimini is the original Roman bridge, completed in the reign of the Emperor Tiberius. This 2,000 year old structure still carries daily road traffic.

Nearby is the set of ruins known as the “Surgeon’s House”. The name comes from a comprehensive set of over 150 surgical instruments which were found in the course of excavations of one of the houses on the site in the years after its discovery in 1998.

Some time around the 5th century, the site was used as a Christian cemetery.

Nearby is the Museo della Città or City Museum where some of the finds, including the surgical instruments and mosaics, are held.

Roman mosaic, Rimini.

Roman mosaic, Rimini.

At the end of the Corso d’Augusto in the centre of town you’ll find one of the oldest surviving Roman Arches, completed in 27BC. It stood at the end of the Via Flaminia that led to Rome. It was encased in the medieval wall, demolished in the fascist period.

The beach

Rimini is well known as a seaside resort and is very crowded in the peak holiday season of August. In the photo below you can see the very organized nature of Italian beaches where you have to pay for a space with umbrella and chairs.

Off season, the beach is almost deserted.

The very famous Grand Hotel was built in 1908. It has suffered from a fire as well as damage during World War Two, but is still functioning today. It featured prominently in the film “Amacord” by Frederico Fellini.

Rimini is the home town of Fellini and after he became successful, he often stayed at the Grand Hotel in a suite that is popular with visitors. The city  holds exhibitions related to him and his time and a Fellini Museum is planned.

Dining

For lunch, you’ll find any number of good seafood restaurants. One where we’ve eaten more than once is “Il Pescato dal Canevone”

“Il Pescato del Canavone” seafood restaurant Rimini.

Il Pescato del Canavone” Rimini.

Getting there

Rimini can be reached by train from Bologna in 53 minutes at a cost of around €13 each way. There are frequent trains on this route.