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SAN LEO CASTLE

Castello di San Leo

San Leo stands on a spur whose walls fall sheer to the Marecchia valley. Its marvellous fortress (XV century), by Francesco di Giorgio Martini, dominates the valley from the top of the inaccessible cliff. The town ancient in origin, gives the name to the Montefeltro district, being the ancient Roman Mons Feretrius.

Berengarius II made it the capital of Italy from 962 till 964. Saint Leone evangelized it (IV century) and nowadays he is patron saint of the town. In the historical centre there are the two wonderful churches, namely the Pieve and the Duomo, respectively dating back to the XI and XII century and the civic tower which is now the Duomo bell tower. Surrounding these buildings there is the S. Igne Franciscan convent (1243).

Among famous people Dante Alighieri mentioned San Leo in his Divine Comedy and Saint Francis stopped here to pray. It is here that he was given the Verna mountain(1213). Count of Cagliostro spent his last days in a cell of the Fortress.

Official web site: SAN LEO

The following are some possible trips from Cattolica:

Montefiore Conca

Montegridolfo Castle

Gradara Castle

St. Leo Castle

Montebello Castle

The Frasassi Caves

The city of Urbino

Republic of San Marino

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