Castello di Montebello

Montebello stands at 436 metres, on the summit of a hill, guarding the road that climbed the Marecchia valley towards Montefeltro and Tuscany. The castle's foundations rest directly on the peak: the keep and part of the fortress date back to around the year 1000, and inside there is also a square tower from Roman times.

In the second half of the fifteenth century, when the Guidi di Bagno counts succeeded the Malatesta family, the fortress also became a noble residence. The family still owns it: the guided tour takes you through the noble hall with its antique furniture, the defensive tower and the oldest military structures.

The castle is famous for the legend of Azzurrina, Guendalina Malatesta: an albino child who, according to popular tale, vanished in the castle's ice house on 21 June 1375, during a thunderstorm, whilst chasing her ball. It is said that her voice can still be heard every five years, at the summer solstice. There are no historical documents to confirm it: it is a story to tell, not to believe.

Besides daytime visits there are night-time visits, by reservation and only for those aged at least 11. Around it, the small village and the view over the Valmarecchia are worth the climb.