Abbazia di Santa Maria del Monte

On the hill facing the fortress, the abbey has been home to Benedictine monks for around a thousand years. The church you see is a Renaissance work, with its great frescoed dome and raised presbytery, built from the late fifteenth century onwards on an older building.

Its most surprising treasure is the ex-votos: hundreds of painted panels, from the fifteenth century to the present day, hung on the walls by the faithful to thank the Madonna del Monte for a grace received. Falls from horses, shipwrecks, illnesses, accidents: it is a chronicle of everyday life in Romagna over five centuries, and is considered one of the most important collections in the world.

The monastery also houses a workshop for the restoration of antique books, run by the monks, and from the terrace on the square you have one of the finest views over Cesena and the coast. Pius VII, the pope from Cesena, was a monk here before ascending to the throne of Peter.

From the centre you can walk up in about twenty minutes, or drive to the square. It is a living monastery: respect the silence and the times of prayer.