Fortezza di San Leo
The Renaissance fortress designed by Francesco di Giorgio Martini on the rock of San Leo, formerly a prison for Cagliostro and Risorgimento patriots.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The fortress of San Leo stands on top of a rock overlooking the Valmarecchia. According to the historical reconstruction, the Romans built the first fortification on the mountain; in 1441 Federico da Montefeltro succeeded in capturing the stronghold, which was later redesigned by Francesco di Giorgio Martini to withstand firearms.
The complex comprises the keep (mastio), the oldest part, with square towers and a Gothic entrance, and the more recent residential wing, with round towers and a crenellated curtain wall linking the two structures. The keep, towers and curtain wall enclose the parade ground (piazza d’armi).
From 1631 the fortress was used as a prison: Risorgimento patriots, including Felice Orsini, and free thinkers such as Cagliostro were held there. It remained a prison until 1906. Today it has been restored and freed of its 19th-century additions, and the visit route also includes the memory of its famous prisoners.
Highlights
- Renaissance fortress designed by Francesco di Giorgio Martini
- Keep and residential wing with towers
- Parade ground (piazza d’armi)
- Memory of the imprisonment of Cagliostro and Felice Orsini
- View over the Valmarecchia
Permanent exhibition
- Percorso nella fortezza – Visit to the keep, the residential wing and the parade ground, with memories of its famous prisoners.
- Founded
- 1441
- Visitors per year
- approx. 70,313
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €11 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2visitors aged 18 to 25 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for under-18s. |
| Combined ticket Fortezza di San Leo, Rocca Malatestiana di Verucchio and Museo archeologico | €14.50Valid at weekends and on public holidays, for adults. |
| Combined ticket with the Camminamento di Ronda di Gradara | €18Fortezza, Rocca di Verucchio, Museo archeologico and Camminamento di Ronda di Gradara; weekends and public holidays, adults. |
Full price from age 26. Other concessions are listed on the Ministero della Cultura website. Tickets can be bought online via TicketOne. Groups must book by email or WhatsApp (+39 339 5497576).
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
From Rimini, take Start Romagna bus line 160 to Pietracuta, then connect with the Valmabus line to San Leo (weekdays only). From 15 September to 31 October 2026 a shuttle bus runs; timetables are available as PDF on the website.
By car: from the A14, take the Valle del Rubicone exit and the SP33 towards San Leo (from the north), or take the Rimini Sud exit and the SS72 towards San Marino, then follow the signs for San Leo (from the south). San Leo is about 33 km from Rimini. For parking information: IAT tourist office, Piazza Dante Alighieri 14, +39 0541 926967.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Adult groups and schools book via WhatsApp at +39 339 5497576; for schools there is an education section on the Comune website. |
