Civitella di Romagna

The name Civitella comes from 'Civitatula’, little town. Built where the valley narrows in the middle of the course of the Bidente River at the foot of the Girone hill, Civitella was the possession of the mighty abbots of Sant’Ellero and, in the following centuries, was the object of harsh disputes. It became the feud of the Counts of Giaggiolo, and later passed under the rule of the Manfredis, from Faenza, and then, in 1400, to the Malatestas. It suffered under other dominions, raids and earthquakes, but the people of Civitella always knew how to rebuild their little town around the ancient castle. The medieval urban structure is still visible today.
Today Civitella is a lovely little village, with a vocation for agriculture and has a group of small businesses,





Civitella stands on the right bank of the river Ronco-Bidente, where the course of the river narrows, alongside the Bidentina provincial road taking to Santa Sofia and the National Park of the Casentino Forests. The village, within the area enclosed by the ramparts, dates back to the 10th century and was mentioned in 996 as a possession of the Church of Ravenna, then feud of the Counts of Giaggiolo who lost it during the battle of Civitella in 1276. It passed under the rule of the Manfredis from Faenza, then to the Malatestas, to the Orsinis, to the Venetians (1462) and in later times to Napoleon.


Civitella grew in the shadow of the mighty Abbey of Sant’Ellero of Galeata and was disputed between the different seigneuries. During this time Civitella suffered a number of sieges and destructions following terrible earthquakes. In the 15th century, with the disappearance of the seigneuries, Civitella, situated on the border between the Papal State and the Granduchy of Tuscany, was annexed to the dominion of the Church. The town was plundered in the 16th century by the troops of Bourbon Conestabile marching to Rome and in 1642 by the soldiers of Odoardo Farnese on their way to Florence. Until 1891 Civitella was the chief town of three communes: Civitella, Mortano and Predappio. Little remains of the castle of Civitella: the tower, rebuilt in the Gothic style, with a clock from 1842. The medieval urban structure guarded by the ramparts is still visible. Worth a visit is the Sanctuary of Madonna della Suasia in the form of a Greek cross dating back to the 16th century. Nearby is the medieval village of Cusercoli.

Altitude: 238 mslm
Inhabitants: 3870 inhabitants
Surface: 1118 kmq

How to get there

Civitella di Romagna is about 32 kilometres from Forlì on the 310 state road of the Bidente Valley.

Address: Civitella's Municipality - 19, Viale Roma
Telephone: Comune +39.0543.984326
Fax: +39.0543.98381

Sito WEB: http://www.comune.civitella-di-romagna.fc.it

Other news

The Civitella's marmelade is that of cherries, obtained from the historical and delicious 'morette'. In honour of this fruit every year takes place a festival and various markets during the year. Moreover it's possible to visit farms on the Wine and Food Route.