5 reasons to visit Forli, Emilia Romagna

Forlì is a city located in the north-east of Italy, in Emilia Romagna region, south of Bologna and Ravenna and west of Rimini. Its name has latin origins: Forum Livi, the place of Livio. Livio was the son of Marco Livio Salinatore, the Roman Consul that won the Battle of Metaurus in 207 B.C .

In spite of its ancient origins, the most majestic buildings of Forlì date back to the beginning of 20th century. Mussolini was born in this province, more specifically in a small town called Predappio, and here in Forlì it is possible to see many examples of Rationalist architecture from the Fascist period.

5 Reasons to visit Forli

1. Viale della Libertà & Piazzale della Vittoria

Arriving by train and walking out with the train station behind you, you can’t miss Viale della Libertà, a wide road that leads to the city centre. The majority of the buildings on this road were built during the Fascist time and represent the perfect example of Rationalist architecture.

Piazzale della Vittoria

At the end of the road your eyes are drawn upwards by the high column of the war memorial monument, located in the middle of Piazzale della Vittoria. This monument was built in 1932 and inaugurated to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Fascist Revolution. On the top of the column there is a bronze sculpture representing the goddess Victory.

The piazza is one of the entry points to the city. On the same square there is also another Rationalist palace that was built for Mussolini, the ex-aeronautic school. In front of it, there is the enormous sculpture of Icarus, dedicated to Mussolini’s son who died while flying an airplane.

2. Piazza Saffi

From Piazzale della Vittoria you find yourself on Corso della Repubblica. Walking along this road, you will reach the heart of the city, Piazza Saffi, the meeting point for locals.

Piazza Saffi

It is surrounded by the most important buildings of the city: the Basilica of San Mercuriale, Palazzo del Podestà, the city council, Palazzo Albertini (dating back to the 16th Century but substantially reconstructed during the Fascist period, and the Post Office building (another example of Rationalist architecture).

3. Basilica Mercuriale

The Basilica of San Mercuriale is one of the symbols of the city and it is worth a visit. It is Romanesque in style and dedicated to the first bishop of Forlì. The most charming part is the lunette in beautiful pink marble. Next to the church there is the bell tower, 72 meters high and also in the Romanesque style.

Basilica San Mercuriale

4. Musei San Domenico

Another element that makes Forlì one of the art cities of Emilia Romagna is the San Domenico Complex that consists of an ancient church and two of its adjacent cloisters. A cluster of archeological museums and an art gallery, the San Domenico Complex often hosts important international exhibitions.

Musei San Domenico

The buildings have recently been renovated and during the restoration many archeological discoveries were made. Ceramic and glass wares for cooking, devotional objects and offerings for the people buried in the Church chapels are now part of the collection displayed in the museum and enable visitors to understand the way of life for ancient inhabitants of the city.

Thanks to renovation works, wonderful frescoes were also revealed and represented the crucial events of Saint Domenico’s life.

5. Parco Urbano Franco Agosto

Forlì also has a green heart: the Parco Urbano Franco Agosto. It is a sprawling park that is 26 hectares and located just outside the wall of the ancient town. Easy to reach by bike or foot, follow the cycle path that starts in the city centre.

Parco Urbano

On sunny days, locals often spend their leisure time here. It has a  beautiful green meadow to relax on as well as a soccer field, basketball courts, and playgrounds for children.

The Montone River crosses the park and there is a little lake where you will often find swans and ducks. It also boasts a large variety of flora and fauna: oaks, poplars, thorn threes and roses fill the landscape, while birds, rabbits and squirrels freely roam around the park.

Have you been to Forli? Share your experience with us in the comments below. 

Author’s Bio: Roberta Parisi works as a freelance translator and writer, and also collaborates with local newspapers.