CASTROCARO TERME E TERRA DEL SOLE

HYSTORY
 
Castrocaro Terme and Terra del Sole, the two centres in which is divided the town, preserve some important historical sites. Castrocaro, from the tenth century seat of a fierce feudal court, in the fourteenth century it was the military seat of the papal rectors of Romagna, and from 1403 to 1579 the prestigious capital of Romagna Fiorentina.
The imposing fortress, home of the Archaeological Museum, dominates the characteristic medieval village.
Terra del Sole (the old "Eliopoli”) was born on 8 December 1564 as a Renaissance fortress
to protect the Medici’s territories from brigandage: then the Grand Duchy of Tuscany extended until Forlì’s doors. Only in 1923 the territories of Romagna-Tuscany came under the jurisdiction of the Province of Forlì. Thanks to its salty waters, from nineteenth century Castrocaro began to cultivate his vocation as spa site, up to develop in the post-war period as one of the most important Italian spas. Nowadays Castrocaro Terme has been relaunched by combining rehabilitative cares to proposals for health and beauty.
 
USEFUL NUMBERS
 
• Town Hall: Via Marconi 81, tel. 0543 767101 fax 0543 768301
• Tourist Information IAT: Via Marconi 81, tel. 0543 767162 fax 0543 769326
• Pro Loco Castrocaro: Via Fortezza - Tel. 0543 769541
• Pro Loco Terra del Sole: Piazza D'Armi, 2 Tel. 0543 766766
 
PLACES TO SEE
 
In Castrocaro:
• Medieval fortress with the Archaeological Museum
• The Byzantine Baptistery
• St. Nicolò Church (frescoes by Giotto’s school)
• St. Nicolò and Francesco Church (Renaissance paintings and frescoes)
• Civic Tower (Campanone)
• Art-decò style Baths Complex
 
In Terra del Sole:
• Museum of Man and Environment
• Medicean fortified town
• Captain of the Artillery’s Castle of Porta Fiorentina
• Municipal Historical Archives at Porta Romana’s Castle
• Palazzo Pretorio (Magistrate’s Building)
 
THE SURROUNDINGS
 
• Cozzi’s Site, with the huge rock of "Sasso Spugnone";
• Sorgara, pristine woodland site;
• Via del Santo: breathtaking route from Castrocaro to the hermitage of Monte Paolo, through a pristine area.
• Monte Poggiolo – Converselle’ area, sites of wild beauty for cycling and mountain biking.