Ravenna and province Travel Guide

The Borgo di Riolo was founded in the early Middle Ages. Being of military importance it was fortified in the 16^th century by the Bolognesi and Degli Sforza families. Its imposing bastions which were stormed in 1500 by Caesar Borgia – the Valentino who inspired Machiavelli – are a splendid example of Renaissance military architecture.

Over and above the fortress, Riolo Terme's attractions include a mediaeval nucleus enclosed in its old walls which has remained more or less intact, splendid parks and the tranquillity of a spa town set in the green of the Appennines. There are fine sports facilities, notably the golf course which was created to cater to sports people at a high level of quality. The spa centre is characterized by the charm of late nineteenth century architecture and interior decor among the green of age-old plants and trees in the surrounding parkland. Here you can enjoy really special therapeutic and relaxing moments: the renowned waters of the Riolo spas, universally appreciated for various types of pathologies, are used in avant-garde treatments.

The Rocca

Built in 1388 by the Bolognesi family to house more than 300 soldiers, it was later strengthened by Caterina Sforza towards the mid 15th century. Today it si an art exhibition and music concert centre.

The Spa

Surrounded by green, the Riolo Spa offers all the most avant-garde services for traditional cures, beauty treatments and relaxation.

The large thermal pool is ideal for relaxing under the waterfall jets or on the "divans" with hydromassage, and there are "blade" jets for stretching the neck and back muscles. For circulation and cellulite related problems the benefits of saline-bromoiodic water are combined with directional hydromassage, two water temperatures and specific excercises. The beauty centre offers complete programmes for face and body, specific anticellulite actions and spa water dietetics and cosmetic line. The massage and mud centre (the muds are formed naturally in the spa area, rich in precious mineral salts) is the perfect place to mitigate and resolve problems connected with arthrosis, arthritis and the results of injuries. The jewel in the Spa's crown remains the traditional cure for disturbances of the respiratory tract, for asthma, for the digestive system, the urogenital tract, for osteo-articular, dermatological and metabolism disorders.

Church of St. John the Baptist

The present parish church was built in 1960, inheriting the ornaments of the ancient church of St. John the Baptist (1496) which is now deconsecrated. Inside the new building there are a great many seventeeth century paintings and a grandiose ceramic panel (10m x 10m) by the Riolo painter Sante Ghinassi depicting the Crucifixion.

The Chalk Vein - King Tiberius' Grotto

The Chalk Vein is a geologic conformation with karst phenomena. Among the many grottoes of speleological interest the one known as King Tiberius' Grotto is especially remarkable: 306 metres deep, human traces dating back to prehistory have been found there. Today the entire Chalk Vein, for its flora and fauna, is protected as a Regional Park.

Chalk Vein - River Basino Gorges

Gorges are found in succesion throughout the Chalk Vein: disturbances of chalky and siliceous terrain of karstic appearance, tortuous ravines swalloed up by the river in a majestic view.

Chalk Vein - Mount Mauro

From the summit on a clear day you can see the sea and the foothills of the Alps. There remain only the batrest traces of the ancient castle, scene of the battles between the great families up to 1500.

Texts and photos are published for courtesy of Provincia di Ravenna - Servizio Commercio, Turismo e Fiere