Cattolica
Cattolica is an Italian seaside town with 16,590 inhabitants (as of 31 December 2012) on the Adriatic Riviera in Emilia -Romagna.
The place is located a few kilometers south of Rimini. The neighboring municipalities are Gabicce Mare, Gradara, Misano Adriatico, San Giovanni in Marignano.
History
The Roman settlement was originally built on the ancient road Via Flaminia. The name Cattolica was given in a dispute between Catholic bishops and followers of Arianism in time to the council of Rimini, 359 AD, the area south of Rimini.
Archaeological excavations have shown that the local economy was based on transactions with the pervading people. The area was both a pulling station for travelers on the route Bologna -Ancona - Rome as well as the pilgrims who went to Loreto and San Pietro.
In 1500 the city had more than twenty well-known taverns and inns. The business of inn was supplemented by fishing mid-19th century. As a result, the age of tourism was also ushered in Cattolica. When in 1861 the railway line Bologna -Ancona was put into operation, left many wealthy families from the Emilia -Romagna build their summer residence there. After World War II, tourism began to flourish again. The place was no longer aim for Nobel guests, but especially for the middle class. Already in the 1930s Cattolica was a tourist destination, which was known throughout Europe. Many villas have been converted into elegant hotels to accommodate the crowds who attended in the 1950s and 1960s for million overnight stays per year.
One of the first known people who appreciated the beach of Cattolica, was Luciano Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon, of the then more fashionable preferred Rimini Cattolica in 1823.
Attractions
- La Rocca: Built in 1491 to protect the property of residents in the event of a Turkish invasion. It was the seat of the Capitano di Cattolica, who was elected by the Council of Rimini to protect the Borgo. It is now privately owned.
- Chiesa di S. Apollinare: The church was probably built towards the end of the 12th century, although it was officially mentioned for the first time in 1313. The last renovation was in 1782.
- Galleria Comunale Santa Croce: the former church of Santa Croce was built towards the end of the 16th century next to the Hospital of the pilgrims.
- Theater: A theater all'italiana (700 places), designed by the architect Pierluigi Cervellati.
- Centro Culturale Polivalente library, Antiquarium ( Roman objects from archaeological excavations ), Maritime department with documents and materials from the history of seafaring
- Archaeological excavations: the remains of a house dating from the Roman period
- Theme park Le Navi ( saltwater aquarium )
Sons and daughters of the town
- Marco Simoncelli (1987-2011), motorcycle racer
Twinning
- Hodonín Czech Republic, Czech Republic