Located between the hills of the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines, the municipality of Castrocaro Terme with its well known district Terra del Sole (sun kissed lands), are located in the heart of Romagna-Forlì area, at the mouth of the valley of the river Montone. It is composed of several districts Castrocaro, Terra del Sole and Pieve Salutare.
Castrocaro is a pleasant town with a large SPA and wellness area, famous also for its music festival of "New Voices". Human settlements have been present here since prehistoric times, followed by Umbria-Piceno poulations, then by Etruscan-Celts and finally by the Romans. In Middle Ages the town served as an important strategic military base and during the Renaissance it was proclaimed capital of the Tuscan Romagna region.
Terra del Sole is a district that belonged to the Medici family, built following the principles of the Renaissance. It is a fortress city built by Cosimo I de' Medici, when Castrocaro was the capital of the Tuscan Romagna area, while the other district Pieve Salutare is located at about 4km from Castrocaro.
Sites of Interest:
- the Medieval town center of Castrocaro, constituted by the castle located in a dominant position over the rest of the town, the Hospital or Shelter (also known as murata or cittadella) and the narrow, winding streets that descend gradually towards the center below. The Old centre is accessible through two main gateways (Porta San Nicolò and Porta Ciardi), that are protected by two defensive towers;
- the XIII century Church of St. Nicholas and St. Francesco. It currently features a Romanesque façade. Inside are preserved fine art masterpieces, such as polychrome stucco relief depicting the Madonna dei Fiori and the painting of the Madonna of the artist of Forli, Marco Palmizzano, a pupil of the famous Melozzo;
- the Praetorian Palace (or of the Captains of Justice), a superb example of the Renaissance style;
- Palazzo Torricini, its rooms are seat of the Museum of the fine fabrics of Giglioli dei Castagni;
- Palazzo Corbizi and Palazzo Grazioli, that both feature superb portals in sandstone in Tuscan style;
- the Parish Church of Santa Reparata, in Byzantine style, which dates back to 549. Of the original structure remain only some arches of the nave supported by columns at the edge, an ancient baptismal font decorated with three bolts, traces of frescoes and a large sarcophagus;
- the Parish Church of Pieve Salutare, existing since 955;
- the impressive Citadel dei Medici of Terra del Sole, with its fortified walls, ramparts, castles (of the Captain of Artillery and of the Governor) and the Palace of the Administrator;
- the modern SPA complex of Castrocaro.