An interesting municipality in the province of Forlì-Cesena, despite its Roman origins, Predappio is closely linked to the vicissitudes of modern history. Here, in fact, in a modest home of Dovia, Benito Mussolini was born. For this reason, with the advent of Fascism, Predappio, inevitably, was known with the title of "City of the Duce." Until 1927 the main centre was in Predappio Alta, but due to the danger of landslides, the city centre was moved further downstream in the village of Dovia and built in fascist style. Several, in fact, are examples of rationalist architecture that bear the signatures of the most important architects of the time.
The area was inhabited since the Bronze Age, as attested by the archaeological finds unearthed during recent excavations. Moreover, the discovery of the remains of a Roman villa evidence the certain Roman origins of the first settlement, confirmed, according to some historians by the city's name, abbreviation of Latin phrase " Praesidium Domini Appi" (property of the Appi Family), " Pre.D.i.Appi".
While presenting a modern appearance, the small city retains all the charm of hilly village, whose ridges are crossed by regular rows of vineyards, home of the fine Sangiovese.
Sites of Interest:
- the former home of the Fascism and Hospitality, built by Arnaldo Fuzzi, it was inaugurated in 1937. It features a high and massive Fascist style tower;
- the House of Becker, six family house buildings, built thanks to the contribution of the British political supporter of the Fascism, Lord William Becker, to recover those, that lost everything during a landslide of 1923;
- the Post and Telegraph Building, a box shaped structure, twenty meters by ten, whose two storeys were designed to contain offices on the ground floor and the houses of the employees upstairs. The exterior is characterized by protrusion of the central part compared to the profile of the entire façade;
- the Hospital or Health Building, inaugurated in 1931, is actually composed of three buildings, two on the back of the main one, divided into three floors overlooking the main square;
- the Caserma dei Carabinieri (Police Station), one of the first buildings built in Predappio, even before the perspective drawing of the square;
- the former Food Market, a large open space enclosed by a semicircular portico, designed to accommodate the businesses of the city;
- Palazzo Varano, today seat of the City Hall;
- the birthplace of Benito Mussolini, a modest building made of rough stones, where he was born on July 29th, 1883. It is currently used as a seat for historical and artistic exhibitions;
- the Church of St. Augustine in Rocca d'Elmici, in Romanesque style;
- the Church of San Cassiano in Pennino (X-XI), which has been proclaimed National Monument since 1934;
- the medieval Castle of Predappio Alta, already mentioned in the XIII century;
- the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Her Majesty (XVIII century).