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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. 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.
Main monuments
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San Mercuriale |
The Roman abbey of San Mercuriale with the powerful original belfry from the 12th century. |
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Sforza Fortress of Ravaldino |
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