Riccione

Infobox CityIT
official_name = Comune di Riccione
img_coa = Riccione-Stemma.png img_coa_small =


image_caption =
region = RegioneIT|sigla=EMR
province = ProvinciaIT (short form)|sigla=RN (RN)
mayor = Daniele Imola
mayor_party =
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 12
area_footnotes =
area_total_km2 = 17.11
population_footnotes =
population_as_of = 31-05-2007 (Istat)
population_total = 34864
pop_density_footnotes =
population_density_km2 = 2.051
coordinates = coord|44|0|0|N|12|39|0|E|region:IT_type:city(34864)
gentilic = Riccionesi
telephone = 0541
postalcode = 47838
frazioni = Abissinia, Alba, Centro, Colombarina, Fontanelle, Il Villaggio, San Lorenzo in Strada, Spontricciolo
saint = San Martino
day = 11 November
mapx = #expr:44 + 0 / 60.0
mapy = #expr:12 + 39 / 60.0
locator_position =
native_name = Riccione
name = Riccione
website = http://www.comune.riccione.rn.it/

Riccione is a comune in the Province of Rimini, Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy. As of 2007 Riccione had an estimated population of 34,864.

History

The oldest archaeological findings in Riccione's area date to the 2nd century BC, although it was most likely settled in advance. At the time of the Roman Republic, it was known as "Vicus Popilius" and a had a river over the Rio Melo river. After an obscurity period, in 1260 it was acquired by the Agolanti family, connected to the lords of Rimini, the Malatesta. In the 17th century some watchtowers were built on the seaside against assaults by pirates.

Origins of the tourist fame of Riccione date to the late 19th century, mostly spurred by the construction of residences by rich Bolognese people. In the 1930s there were some 30,000 tourists a year, with some 80 hotels existing. Benito Mussolini had a villa built here in 1934.

After World War II, tourist flow was further increased by its choosing as vacation resort by numerous famous people, such as Pelè, Mina, Ugo Tognazzi, Vittorio De Sica and others.

Tourism

Since the 1930s Riccione gained the status of a main destination of summer tourism on the Adriatic riviera of Romagna, and, together with Rimini, is one of the best known seaside resorts in Northern Italy.

Tourism in Riccione is massive, including mostly young people attracted by the number and variety of discos, on the Riviera and in the city centre. Riccione also attracts families with children, thanks to its theme parks.

The scores of hotels on the Riviera, one next to the other, determine the large amount of tourists flowing there in summer. The main streets of Riccione, viale Dante and viale Ceccarini have numerous night spots, discos, and hotels, but daily are run by people walking or biking. The sea-front is a long boulevard, shaped by a road and an equally developed bicycle lane, that reaches up to the town's end going along the sea.

Cycling is popular in the Emilia Romagna area and a number of Riccione's hotels have teamed up to capitalise on this. These hotels provide specific facilities for cycling tourists, including bike hire, cycle storage and tour guides.

Sport

From September 4 to 15, 2007, Riccione hosted the World Masters Athletics Championships.

From June 29 2007 till July 6, Riccione (together with Rimini) will host the CSIT Championships.

References

* Lombardi, Fabio, Fabio Lombardi 2002, "Storia di Riccione" / - Cesena : Il ponte vecchio. - 203 p. : ill. ; 24 cm. ISBN 8883121880

External links

* [http://www.sunsort.com/guide/italy/riccione/ Riccione Travel Guide]
* [http://www.lacittainvisibile.it/ La Città Invisibile] it, collection of signs, stories and memories on Riccione during the war age.
* [http://www.visitriccione.com/en/ Visit Riccione] , Riccione events.
* [http://www.riccione.it/ Riccione] , Riccione tourism web site.