This medieval walled city in Emilia-Romagna sits along the Montone river, with its 15th-century Rocca castle rising above narrow streets lined with churches and Renaissance palaces.
Forlì lies in northern Italy's Emilia-Romagna region, at the foot of the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines and 30 kilometers from the Adriatic coast. Walk through streets that follow the original Roman grid pattern, stop at cafes under medieval porticoes, and visit the 75-meter bell tower of San Mercuriale Abbey. The city's museums display works by Renaissance masters like Marco Palmezzano, while local restaurants serve regional specialties such as passatelli pasta in steaming broth.
Exploring Piazza Saffi
Four main streets from the original Roman grid meet at Piazza Saffi, the central square of Forlì. The San Mercuriale Abbey dominates the square with its 75-meter-tall 12th-century bell tower. On the southern edge, the 14th-century Palazzo Comunale's clock tower continues to mark time for the city. In summer evenings, residents fill the cafe tables under the porticoes that line the surrounding streets.
Museums and Art Collections
The San Domenico museum complex houses Antonio Canova's Hebe sculpture among its main collections. The Pinacoteca Comunale displays paintings by local Renaissance artists Marco Palmezzano and Melozzo da Forlì. The Verzocchi collection focuses on 20th-century Italian art, with paintings and sculptures depicting scenes of work and labor across different artistic styles.
Local Food Scene
Restaurants in Forlì specialize in handmade pasta, particularly passatelli - thick noodles made from breadcrumbs, eggs, and Parmesan cheese, served in hot broth. At wine bars and restaurants along Via delle Torri and Via Fossato Vecchio, you can try piadina, a flatbread filled with squacquerone cheese or cured meats. Local vintners produce Sangiovese wine in the surrounding vineyards.
Parks and Green Spaces
The Franco Agosto City Park extends along the old city walls next to the Montone River. You can walk through botanical gardens, use sports facilities, or stop at one of several cafes. The Parco della Resistenza, in the city center, has plenty of benches under shade trees for taking breaks between sightseeing.
Day Trips from Forlì
Bertinoro, a medieval town 10 kilometers away, sits on a hilltop with views reaching to the Adriatic Sea. Look for the Column of Hospitality with its twelve rings, each representing a different family's commitment to welcome visitors. From Fratta Terme, 14 kilometers from Forlì, you can visit thermal baths or try rope courses at Around Adventures park.
