Why Rimini and Emilia-Romagna Region?

Rimini is a dynamic, open, easily accessible and technologically advanced city with a population of 150,000, located on the northeastern coast overlooking the Adriatic Sea.

Founded by the Romans in 268 B.C., Rimini has been at the centre of many disputes throughout its 2,000-year history. Strategically located on three consular roads-the Via Flaminia, which provided a direct link to Rome, the Via Aemilia leading to Piacenza and Milan, and the Via Popilia, the road to the northern Adriatic coastal sector of the Roman Empire-Ariminum was a crucial Roman city.

The rich traces of the city's history are evident in the historic centre, which features Roman remains, medieval structures and Renaissance masterpieces. During the Renaissance, under the influence of the Malatesta family, Rimini flourished as an important centre of Italian and European artistic, scientific and literary revival. This period of innovation left a lasting mark on Rimini's history, with landmarks such as Castel Sismondo in Piazza Malatesta and the Malatesta Temple, which are excellent examples of the Malatesta family's deep connection with their city.

Rimini has been renowned as one of Europe's leading leisure tourism destinations since the 1960s, with more than 3 million visitors annually. The city has also developed as a conference and exhibition hub. This is due to the availability of 80,000 hotel rooms in the area and prestigious venues such as the Palacongressi and the Fiera.

Routes Europe 2026 delegates will experience Rimini and its significant urban regeneration, noting how the city has successfully integrated sustainability, quality of life and well-being thanks to investments and interventions that are the result of synergistic collaboration among various actors, such as the City Council, the Region, the Airport, the University, local industry, hotel and business associations and individual citizens, who have contributed to the city's “renaissance.” This renaissance extends beyond personal well-being, shaping the community for economic growth, sustainability, and overall well-being.

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