Rocca Sforzesca di Bagnara

Bagnara di Romagna is one of the few lowland villages that preserve the layout of a medieval castle: the walls, the moat, the central square. The fortress was built in the 14th century and reinforced in the 15th, when the town was part of the domains of the Riario family and Caterina Sforza.

The square keep, the walkways and the inner courtyard have been restored, and inside you'll find the Museo del Castello: archaeological finds from the area spanning prehistory to the Middle Ages, weapons and documents from the village's history.

The fortress provides the backdrop for the town's festivals: in June the Festa del Castello fills the walls with processions, games and medieval music.

Visit the museum during opening hours and then walk round the walls: in half an hour you'll understand what a lowland castle was like.