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Gradara
Piazza V Novembre, 1About
The tragic love story of Paolo and Francesca by Dante, Pertrarch, Boccaccio and D'Annunzio took place here, in this medieval town, which is 142 meters above sea level. The origins of the settlement are ancient: the arched entrance to the town is almost certainly Roman, the tower dates from medieval times, while the walls were built by the Malatesta dynasty, who lived here around 1260, and built the Rocca fort which can still be visited. They were swiftly followed by the Renaissance Sforza family. The town fell into decadence under the Pontifical State, was sacked by the French and partially destroyed by the earthquake in 1916. La Rocca today is an important part of Italian national heritage. Moments of romantic bliss are still to be had, especially on clear summer evenings, heightened by the spectacle Seduzione al Castello, which this takes place every year, on the third weekend in July. It is an evening full of magical medieval splendor, minstrel music, maidens dancing and poetic verses in memory of those who fell in love here so long ago.
