Forlì is one of the bigger towns in the Emilia Romagna region. It is also the capital of the province of Forlì. The biggest attraction of this rather wealthy town is the Abbey of San Mercuriale.
Forlì travel guide
Tourist information: Piazza Aurelio Saffi, 8. Phone: +39 0543 712362. Opening hours: From 09:00 till 13:00 and from 14:00 till 19:00. Closed: Mondays.
Town hall: Piazza Saffi, 8. Phone: +39 0543 712111.
Railway station: The city has its own railway station, a short walk from the historical center.
Nearest airport: The nearest airport is in Bologna, but the nearest big international airport is Milan’s Malpensa.
What to see and do in Forlì
The main square of Forlì (Cattedrale di Santa Croce) is the trapezoidal Piazza Aurelio Saffi. The Abbey of San Mercuriale and the Palazzo Comunale are the main buildings flanking the square. A statue of the man after whom it is named is placed in its center.
The Cathedral of Forlì was almost completely reconstructed in 1841. It is of medieval origin and is locate in the Piazza del Duomo.
The Basilica of San Mercuriale was constructed toward the end of the 12th century. This church is charcterized by an impressive bell tower.
The Palazzo Comunale is also of medieval origin.
The Palazzo del Podestà was built in 1460. It had actually been built two years earlier, but the building had collapsed as soon as it was finished.
Forli’s ancient city walls were demolished in 1905. The only gate surviving the destruction is the Porta Schiavonia.
Het historische gebouw Palazzo Romagnoli is de zetel van het Museo Civico (“Stadsmuseum”) van Forlì.
The Rocca di Ravaldino dates from the late 15th century.
The church of Santa Maria dei Servi was constructed in the 12th century. Other historical churches include the Chiesa del Carmine, the church of San Biagio and the Chiesa della Trinità.
The dormer Domenican convent is the seat of the Musei di San Domenico and the Pinacoteca Civica.
The neighborhood between the Viale della Stazione, the Piazzale della Vittoria and the Piazza Aurelio Saffi contains several examples of rationalist architecture. The Palazzo delle Poste, facing Piazza Saffi, is a prime example.
The Palazzo della Merenda is used to exhibit 16th cen 17th century architecture.
Parks and gardens in Forlì
The main green area of the city is the 26 hectare Parco Urbano Franco Agosto.
A brief history of Forlì
The history of Forlì starts in the 3rd century BC, when it was established as a Roman colony.
In the 9th century, Charlemagne donated the city to the Papacy.
In the 12th century, Forlì was subjugated by Ravenna.
Throughout the late Middle Ages, there was a rivalry with nearby Faenza over trade issues. In 1241, Forlì got the upper hand.
In 1282, the city defeated the French army that had been sent by Pope Martin V.
In the early 14th century, the city became a feud of the Ordelaffi family. This family remained in power for over two centuries and was responsible for several urban works.
Hereafter, Pope Sixtus V gave the feud to Girolamo Riario, who was married to a member of the influential Sforza family from Milan.
After a brief period under the Ordelaffi, Forlì then came again under papal rule.
In 1797, Forlì became the capital of the Cisalpine Republic, a northern Italian sister Republic of France. It even became the capital of the Rubicon department of this Republic.
Napoleon gone, Forlì returned to the church.
In 1905, the protective walls surrounding the city were demolished.
The city was badly damaged during World War II.
Events and festivals
On February 4th, the Festival of the Madonna del Fuoco takes place.
How to get to Forlì by car
The city is on the E45 between Bologna and Rimini and on the SS67 between Florence and Ravenna.