The Cathedral Church of Rimini

Rimini has its own cathedral church called Tempio Malatestiano (more popularly known as Malatesta Temple).

It is a classic Roman building in every sense of the word, as almost all of the cathedral’s exteriors were inspired by buildings in Rome, but to rival them in Rimini.  It has a large marble façade which is generously decorated with sculptures which no doubt drew comparisons to the Arch of Constantine in Rome.  Furthermore, there are nods to Roman aqueducts at the side of the cathedral. 

Originally, the cathedral was a gothic church built in the 13^th century and belonging to the Franciscans.  However, it is now named after Rimini’s Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta who commissioned the building to be rebuilt (and finished in 1466) thus transforming it into a kind of mausoleum for himself and his wife.

Inside the cathedral there are 7 chapels.  Each chapel has a tomb of a revered Rimini citizen, plus one of Pletho, the Greek neoplatonist philosopher and scholar.  Throughout the cathedral you will find the SI monogram - supposedly this is formed from the first two letters of Sigismondo – showcasing also an elephant, a rose and three heads.  Any stay in Rimini must be accompanied by a visit to this magnificent cathedral.