San Leo - Italy

San Leo (RN)

Emilia Romagna (Italy)

San Leo, this imposing rock which dominates the Marecchia Valley was an important strategie stronghold in the course of historical and military events. Pagan in origin, it was later chosen by the Dalmatian, Leone, as a spiritual retreat. Leone and his friend Marino, who had retreated to a life of seclusion on Mt. Titano, were instrumentai in bringing Christianity to the Montefeltro in the IVcentury. In the year 1000, the rock took the name San Leo, and the ancient name of Montefeltro was given to the diocese. In the X century San Leo became a Bishop's See and offered asylum to the rebel Berengario !l who withstood 23 months of gruelling siege here, atthe hands of the Imperiai troops lead by Emperor Otto I. The city and the Montefeltro family, which had chosen San Leo as the seat of its Dynasty, flourished during the Medieval period. Viste by St. Francis, in 1213, and by Dante, in 1306, helped to enrich the history and legend which surround this important city. In the course of the centuries, San Leo was dominated and contended for by the Medici and Della Rovere famìlies, until it passed under the direct dominion of the Pontifica! State in 1631. The story of Cagliostro adds substance to the magica! and mysterious aura of this city.