Meldola

Meldola (Romagnol: Mèdla) is a town and comune near Forlì, in Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

Meldola
Comune di Meldola
Coat of arms
Location of Meldola
Meldola
Location of Meldola in Italy
Meldola
Meldola (Emilia-Romagna)
Coordinates: 44°08′N 12°03′E
CountryItaly
RegionEmilia-Romagna
ProvinceForlì-Cesena (FC)
FrazioniSan Colombano, Ricò-Gualdo, Teodorano, Piandispino-Valdinoce, Vitignano
Government
  MayorRoberto Cavallucci
Area
  Total78 km2 (30 sq mi)
Elevation
58 m (190 ft)
Population
 (1 January 2009)[2]
  Total10,142
  Density130/km2 (340/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Meldolesi
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
  Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
47014
Dialing code0543
Patron saintSt. Nicholas, Beata Vergine del Popolo
Saint dayDecember 6
WebsiteOfficial website

History

The area of Meldola was inhabited since very ancient times. The Romans built here a large aqueduct (still existing under the ground) which served the military port of Classis. To the 5th-6th century belongs a large patrician villa which is now under the historical centre.

In the Middle Ages a castle was present, the name Meldola first attested around the year 1000. The castle was a possession of the Montefeltro, Ordelaffi, Malatesta, the Borghese Aldobrandini and the Doria Pamphilj. It gained the status of city in 1862, soon after the unification of Italy.

Main sights

  • Rocca (castle)
  • Castle of Teodorano, outside the city. Of the originary fortified burgh, destroyed by Cesare Borgia, a tower and part of the walls remain.
  • Church of the Madonna del Sasso (1523). It is now home to the Ecology Museum.
  • Churches of San Cosimo and San Nicolò.
  • Ponte dei Veneziani (Venetians' Bridge), a 5-arch bridge dating from the early 16th-century.
  • Scardavilla Wood preserved area
  • Rocca delle Caminate fortress, which was a summer residence of Benito Mussolini

Government

List of mayors

Mayor Term start Term end Party
Corrado Ghetti 1993 2004 Democrats of the Left
Loris Venturi 2004 2009 Democrats of the Left/Democratic Party
Gian Luca Zattini 2009 2019 Lega Nord
Roberto Cavallucci 2019 Incumbent Independent (centre-left)

Economy

In the late 19th century and in the first years of 20th century, Meldola was well known for its production of silk. The main activities include agriculture and the manufacture of furniture. A recently built oncology hospital provides research into cancer and care for cancer patients.

Notable people

The following notable persons were born in Meldola: the philosopher and theologian Bartolomeo Mastri; the patriot Felice Orsini; the painter Maria Giuditta Versari. Japan football coach Alberto Zaccheroni was also born in Meldola.

References

  • Lombardi, Fabio (2000). Storia di Meldola. Cesena: Il ponte vecchio. ISBN 88-8312-106-6.



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