Exploring Rimini: A Local’s Insights
The Italian creative shares her favourite places in the beloved sea-facing region where she was born, which is home to the studio of her eponymous brand.
What does Rimini mean to you?
“Rimini is my home. I grew up in Cattolica, a nearby village, and I’m incredibly proud of this region of Italy. It’s an often-overlooked part of the country, but there is so much to explore in this area, from the food to the beaches, the culture and, most importantly, the people. There is an easiness to Rimini that makes you feel like a local even when you are just visiting.”
Where do you stay?
“My family home is in San Giovanni in Marignano, a small Baroque town near Cattolica. However, in 1994, I bought a 13th-century castle in the medieval village of Montegridolfo, in the Emilia-Romagna region, about a 45-minute drive from Rimini. I restored it to its previous grandeur and turned it into Palazzo Viviani, a hotel full of personality and charm. The eight bedrooms are furnished with antiques and original terracotta floors, and there’s a swimming pool and sloping lawns with beautiful views of the countryside. We serve up a vast breakfast too. I would also recommend Carducci 76, a sleek architectural hotel in Cattolica, designed by my brother Massimo.”
Where’s a great spot to go for a drink?
“One of my favourite things to do is have an aperitivo at Osteria dei Poeti, a buzzy little wine bar behind the historical Piazza Cavour. For me, it’s a home away from home. I won’t make a reservation; I just turn up in the evening, safe in the knowledge that friends and family will be there. It’s like a magnet. The bar is lined with beautiful photos of old Rimini. I’ll order a bottle of local wine, such as a Sangiovese, and some seasonal small plates.”
To eat out?
“My two sons decided not to follow in my footsteps, but to open restaurants instead. Il Falco is my favourite. It is far away from the nightlife of the town, with its feet in the sand on Rimini’s beachside boulevard, Viale Principe di Piemonte. Dining on the beach and watching the sunset always moves me. The emphasis is on seafood, and the fresh fish here is unmissable, cooked simply on the grill. Another of my favourites is A Pesce in Faccia, which is an old saying for rude behaviour, roughly translating to ‘being slapped in the face with fish’. This gorgeous little taverna on Via Dante is young, easy and playful, encompassing the vibrancy of Rimini. I always recommend the passatelli (pasta made from breadcrumbs) cooked in fish broth or the Cappelletti (similar to tortellini) with bottarga, which is like caviar made from tuna and is a regional speciality.”
For a pit stop?
“You can’t go to Italy and not have gelato. Santa Colomba on the Piazza Malatesta is an award-winning gelateria that makes the most delicious organic ice cream, including vegan options. The mango sorbet and peanut salted caramel flavours are highlights. It is right by Rimini’s main piazza, which is named after the 15th-century Lord of Rimini, Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, and is the ideal location to just sit and watch the world go by.”
For a sundowner?
“Le Milton Beach, a laid-back restaurant by the tip of Porto di Rimini, is a wonderful place to while away an evening. The interior design is bold and bright – much like the town – with blue-and-white striped decor on the beachfront and quirky colour-pop florals inside. It’s the best spot to soak up one of Italy’s beautiful sunsets, and has a great ambience at night.”
Where is your favourite place to walk?
“The old area of Rimini – we call it the antique neighbourhood – is one of my favourite places in the city to wander around. The beautiful Ponte di Tiberio has five semicircular arches made of white Istrian stone. Construction began under emperor Augustus in AD 14 and was completed during the reign of Tiberius. The bridge forms part of the Via Aemilia, an important ancient Roman road that connected the cities of Northern Italy, from Rimini to Bologna and modern-day Milan. It’s in impressive condition considering it’s more than 2,000 years old and is a wonderful example of the rich heritage of this area. I also love walking the beaches of Cattolica, just south of Rimini, picking up shells that I then use at home as dinner-table decorations. To get away from it all, there’s Monte San Bartolo, a beautiful nature reserve where hawks still nest.”
To dip into the culture of the area?
“One of the most famous people born in Rimini is the film director Federico Fellini, of La Dolce Vita fame, so everyone must visit the Fellini Museum within the beautiful Sismondo Castle in the heart of the city. I chose this setting for the Alberta Ferretti Cruise 2024 show. Presenting my collection here was very special. When I was a little girl, Fellini told the story of Rimini to the entire world, and it left such a lasting impression on me. I wanted to relay the same message. The flowing satins and rich colours of my pieces use prints of his films, elements of cinematic drama and the backdrops of his famous cinematography.”
The Cruise 2024 show took place shortly after the devastating flooding in the region. How did that impact the presentation and the collection?
“It was the worst possible test of our resilience. The collection was my swansong to this land, filled with the emotions that have always inspired my creations: soulfulness, sensuality and humanity – that’s Rimini. However, it became more about the people. The presentation included 32 volunteers who helped the Emilia-Romagna community during the floods. They each wore Alberta Ferretti shirts that read, ‘Io ci sono’, which means, ‘I am here’. All proceeds of the sales will be donated to the Emilia-Romagna civil protection charity.”
Alberta was speaking to Billie Bhatia.
