Forlì

Located in the Po valley along the Via Emilia, the town was founded by the Romans in the 2nd century b.C. with the name Forum Livii as a trade centre, at the junction of the consular road with the Muraglione Pass road leading to Tuscany.


Until around the 13th century Forlì, like all the other Romagna towns, suffered the rule of a number of invaders, including the Visigoths, the Byzantines, the Lombards and the Franks, but by the year 1000 the city proclaimed itself a Republic of Ghibelline tradition.


Following the fall of the House of Swabia, Guido of Montefeltro became the Captain of the People of Forlì. Later Forlì came under the influence of the Ordelaffis who ruled the town for about two centuries, beautified and fortified it. The lordship of Caterina Sforza was not long and the lady was succeeded by Cesare Borgia and later by the Papal States which ruled Forlì for three centuries.


The fascism, in twenties and thirties, left his mark in buildings located in Viale della Libertà and Piazzale della Vittoria. During the Second World War Forlì suffered destruction and ruin, but was rapidly reconstructed. Since on, the city provides one of the highest qualities of life in Italy for its services, culture, art, economic vivacity and university.



In the historic centre of Forlì can be easily recognized the two main communication axes of Roman origin divided into four main avenues (Mazzini, Garibaldi, Diaz and della Repubblica) leading to Piazza Saffi. Facing Saffi square are some distinguished monuments from different historical times: the Roman abbey of San Mercuriale with the powerful original belfry from the 12th century, the much restored Town Hall from the 14th century with the Clock Tower, the Gothic Podestà Palace, the 14th century Albertini Palace, home to interesting exhibitions, and the 20th century Post Building, an example of Fascist architecture.


Among the monuments are to be seen the Clock Tower, the Cathedral, the Carmelite Church, the Town Art Gallery with the Hebe by Canova, the Oratory of San Sebastiano, the Sforza Fortress of Ravaldino and Romagnoli Palace.

Altitude: above sea level
Inhabitants: 11358 inhabitants
Surface: 24 kmq

How to get there

The Municipality is bounded on the south-east by the municipality of Forlimpopoli, on the north by the municipality of Faenza and on the west by the municipality of Castrocaro Terme and Terra del Sole. Forlì is served by a railway station on the Bologna-Ancona train line and by comfortable bus lines connecting the city with all the centres of the surroundings and the sea-side resorts of the Adriatic coast.

Tourist Information Office (IAT)
Address: Piazzetta della Misura, 5 - 47121 Forlì
Tel. +39.0543.712435
Fax +39.0543.712755
Email: iat@comune.forli.fc.it
Opening hour: from monday to saturday 8.30am - 1.00pm; Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 3.30pm - 6.30pm; Sunday from 9.30am to 12.30pm