01Montebello and Torriana at a glance
A day trip inland from Hotel Viking, the Antonioli family's 3-star hotel in Viserbella di Rimini: Montebello is the castle of the Guidi di Bagno family on the crag above the Valmarecchia, famous for the legend of Azzurrina; next door is Torriana, with its towers and views over the valley.
It is 23.8 km from the hotel, about 45 minutes by car: a half or full day out, and in the evening you are back by the sea for our Romagna cooking. Food festivals and local celebrations are listed on the events in Rimini page.
| Where | Castello di Montebello, Via Castello di Montebello 25, Torriana, Poggio Torriana (RN) |
|---|---|
| From the hotel by car | 23.8 km, about 45 minutes |
| When to go | all year round; food festivals and fairs in autumn |
02History
- Montebello stands 436 metres high and overlooks the Marecchia and Uso valleys, with a wide view over the Rimini hinterland.
- The name has nothing to do with the beauty of the place: it comes from "Mons Belli", the Mountain of War, because the fortress guarded the road through the Valmarecchia towards Montefeltro and Tuscany.
- The first masonry structure of the fortress is a square Roman tower from the 3rd century, now incorporated into the castle; the keep and part of the fortress date from a building of around the year 1000.
- The castle belonged to the Malatesta; after the defeat of Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta in 1462 it passed in 1464 to the Counts Guidi di Bagno, who still own it today and who turned the fortress into a noble residence.
- The castle rooms display furniture and furnishings from the 14th to the 18th century, including strongboxes and chests; the castle has been open to the public as a museum since 1989.
- The legend tells of Guendalina, known as Azzurrina, daughter of the feudal lord Ugolinuccio (or Uguccione): an albino girl whose hair, dyed to hide its colour, is said to have taken on blue highlights. She is said to have vanished in the underground rooms of the fortress on 21 June 1375, the day of the summer solstice, and was never found.
03What to see
On 21 June 1990 a team of sound technicians made the first audio recordings at the castle, followed by others in later years. They are played during the tour: some people hear crying or a voice, others only the wind and the rain of a storm.
You reach the fortified village through a gateway: besides the castle there are low houses, a defensive tower and the church of San Pietro Apostolo. The old Romanesque parish church, later the castle armoury, now houses a small café and a souvenir shop.
Every year, on the first weekend of September, Montebello hosts its traditional Festa del miele (Honey Festival); there is also a museum dedicated to honey in the old gateway to the village.
Torriana was once called Scorticata (Castrum Scortigatae), and its village, thanks to its views over the Valmarecchia, is known as the "Balcony of Romagna". Legend has it that Gianciotto Malatesta, husband of Francesca da Rimini, was killed in 1304 in the dungeons of its fortress. The present name dates from 1938.
Since 1 January 2014 Torriana and Montebello have been part of the municipality of Poggio Torriana, created by merging the municipalities of Poggio Berni and Torriana.
Sources: castellodimontebello.com · Riviera di Rimini · comune.poggiotorriana.rn.it · Wikipedia. Information checked in October 2026.
04Visitor information
The village of Montebello is free to explore; the castle can be seen on a guided tour. Winter timetable (14 September – 31 May): daytime tours without booking on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 14:30 to 18:00 (last tour 17:15), closed on 25 December; night tour on Saturdays from 21:30, by booking only. Summer timetable (1 June – 13 September): daytime tours every day except Monday from 14:30 to 19:00 (last tour 18:15), also open on Mondays in August. Prices listed on the castle's website: daytime tour €8, children aged 6 to 10 €5, under-5s free, groups of at least 25 people €6; night tour €15, not recommended for children (admitted from age 11) and booking required on 338 4893342. The castle is closed when it snows. The car park is about 200 metres from the castle, and the coach park is at the foot of the village; dogs are welcome. By car: leave the A14 at Rimini Nord, then drive 14 km to Torriana and a further 3 km to Montebello.
Opening times and prices may change: always check the official website before you go.
Sources: castellodimontebello.com · Riviera di Rimini. Information checked in October 2026.
05How to get there from Hotel Viking
By car: 23.8 km, about 45 minutes. At reception we can suggest the best route and the most convenient car parks, and on request we will make you a packed lunch.
Your space at the hotel stays reserved in our private car park, which is fenced and covered by CCTV. Other villages to combine on the same day are listed below.
06Nearby
- Torriana with its towers and the village of Scorticata
- Poggio Berni
- Verucchio
- Santarcangelo di Romagna
- San Leo
- Santuario della Madonna di Saiano (Saiano Sanctuary)
- Verucchio
- Santarcangelo di Romagna
- San Leo
All the villages on one page: the hinterland and hilltop villages to visit. More ideas in things to do in Rimini.
07What our guests say
What our guests say about their trips into the hills.
Day trips
«You can book trips inland with the help of the reception staff»
Sea and hills
«great view from the balcony, towards the sea on one side and the hinterland on the other»
08FAQ
Is the night tour of the Castello di Montebello suitable for children?
No: because of its content and timing, the night tour is aimed at adults, and children are admitted from the age of 11. The daytime tour is suitable for all ages and tells the legend of Azzurrina using the same recordings.
Do you need to book the daytime tour of the Castello di Montebello?
No, there is no need to book the daytime tour: booking is only required for groups of more than 25 people. The night tour, however, must always be booked.
How far are Montebello and Torriana from Hotel Viking?
23.8 km, about 45 minutes by car from Viserbella di Rimini.
How long do you need to visit Montebello and Torriana?
Half a day is enough for the village centre and the main monument; add lunch at an osteria and another nearby village and it becomes a lovely full day out.
Where to stay to visit the hilltop villages of the Valmarecchia and Valconca?
At Hotel Viking in Viserbella di Rimini: a 3-star hotel 100 metres from the sea, with a private car park, open all year round and handy for day trips into the inland hills.
Is autumn a good time to visit Montebello and Torriana?
Yes: in autumn the hinterland has its food festivals, chestnuts and the colours of the hills; check the dates on the town council's website.
