Gradara is a well-preserved medieval town located on the border between Marche and Emilia-Romagna. Its imposing castle (rocca), built in the 13th century, dominates the area and is one of the best examples of military architecture in Italy. The town is enclosed by double walls that once protected its residents and now offer visitors a clear sense of its historic layout.
Gradara is also known for the love story of Paolo and Francesca, made famous by the Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri. Paolo and Francesca were two lovers from the powerful Malatesta family in the 13th century. Francesca was married to Giovanni Malatesta, known as Gianciotto, but fell in love with his younger brother, Paolo. When Gianciotto discovered their affair, he killed them both in a fit of jealousy. In the poem, the poet encounters the two lovers in the second circle of Hell, condemned to be swept together by an eternal storm, a symbol of their forbidden passion.
Rocca di Gradara
The undisputed star. This 12th-century castle is remarkably intact, with its keep, drawbridges, torture chamber, and the infamous Camera di Francesca, the room where Paolo and Francesca allegedly consummated their forbidden love before being murdered by Francesca’s husband. The castle museum displays period weapons, furniture, and frescoes. Don’t miss the walk along the double walls (780 meters of perfectly preserved battlements) for panoramic views stretching from the Apennines to the Adriatic.
Insider Tip: Entrance to the Rocca requires a ticket, but you can save time and skip the queue by booking online. If you’d like a guided experience around the Rocca, consider booking a walking tour that also includes entry. Just remember to double-check the ticket conditions, as they may change over the coming months.
The Historic Walls Walk
The entire village is enclosed within medieval walls. The complete circuit takes 30–40 minutes at a leisurely pace and offers constantly changing perspectives of the fortress, the surrounding countryside, and glimpses into private gardens below. Access is from multiple points within the village.
Insider tip: Go at sunset. The western side offers unobstructed views as the sun sinks toward the hills, casting golden light across the terracotta roofs.
Teatro Dell’Aria
Teatro dell’Aria, translated Theatre of the Air, is an open-air theatre and park dedicated to the ancient art of falconry. In addition to offering visitors practical demonstrations of birds of prey in flight under the falconer’s command, the park also hosts public shows, cabaret, and concerts, with the long-term ambition to become a cultural and scientific hub for collecting and sharing research data on birds.
Church of San Giovanni Battista
This chirch is often overlooked, this 13th-century church contains beautiful frescoes and a serene cloister. It’s rarely crowded and offers a moment of quiet contemplation.
Museo Storico
Museo Storico (Historical Museum) is small but it hosts a complete collection of medieval weapons, armour, and siege equipment. The explanations (in Italian and English) provide context for understanding Gradara’s strategic importance during the wars between papal and imperial forces.
You can find several activities around Gradara in GetYourGuide or Expedia.
Best Photo Spots
- From the lower parking area looking up at the fortress
- The western wall walkway at sunset
- The view from the cemetery outside Porta dell’Orologio. Few tourists venture here, but the perspective of the fortress is stunning, and it’s peacefully atmospheric
Festivals And Events
- L’Assedio al Castello (The Siege of the Castle) (Mid-July): The highlight of Gradara’s calendar. For two weeks, the entire village transforms into a medieval festival with over 200 costumed performers, jousting tournaments, archery contests, falconry displays, artisan markets, and traditional banquets. The final weekend features a spectacular nighttime siege reenactment with fire, combat, and pyrotechnics.
- Gradara d’aMAre (around Valentine’s Day): Valentine’s weekend celebrates the tragic love of Paolo and Francesca with candlelit castle tours, romantic dinners, theater performances, and a touching ceremony where lovers leave love locks on the castle walls.
Food, Drink & Itineraries
Gradara sits at the border between Emilia-Romagna (land of prosciutto, Parmigiano, and fresh pasta) and Le Marche (famous for olive oil, seafood, and truffles). You’ll taste both influences here.
Some suggestions to try in Gradara are:
- Passatelli in brodo: Breadcrumb and Parmigiano dumplings in rich capon broth—pure comfort food
- Strozzapreti: Hand-rolled pasta (literally “priest stranglers”) with wild boar ragù or truffle
- Coniglio in porchetta: Rabbit stuffed with wild fennel, garlic, and pancetta, roasted until crispy
- Brodetto all’anconetana: Traditional fisherman’s stew from nearby Adriatic ports
- Olive all’ascolana: Giant fried olives stuffed with meat, a Le Marche classic
- Crescia: Flatbread cooked on hot stones, served with local salumi and soft cheeses
- Ciambellotto: Traditional ring-shaped breakfast cake flavoured with anise
While some options for wine and drinks are:
- Sangiovese di Romagna: The red wine of Emilia-Romagna, perfect with meat dishes
- Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi: Crisp white from Le Marche, excellent with seafood
- Bianchello del Metauro: Local white wine, light and refreshing
- Mistrà: Anise-flavoured liqueur traditionally served after meals
- Vino Cotto: Sweet wine made from cooked grape must, an ancient tradition in autumn/winter
If you are passionate about cooking, you can also find a Seafood cooking class in Santarcangelo di Romagna.
Explore the Surroundings
Gradara’s hilltop location offers easy access to several remarkable nearby towns. Just 25 kilometers north, the ancient Republic of San Marino crowns Monte Titano with its iconic medieval towers and panoramic Adriatic views. About 50 kilometers inland, Urbino, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcases Renaissance splendor through its magnificent Ducal Palace and status as Raphael’s birthplace. The dramatic fortress of San Leo, perched on a sheer cliff 30 kilometers away, offers breathtaking vistas and a history that inspired Dante’s Inferno. Nestled in the Apennine foothills, the charming medieval village of Frontino provides an authentic glimpse of rural Italian life with its stone houses and tranquil mountain setting. All four destinations lie within an hour’s drive, making them perfect for day trips.
Accommodations near Gradara
You can find many cheap accommodations near Gradara following the links below:
Guided Activities near Gradara
A list of guided and bookable activities can be found below:
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