I luoghi della 1000 Miglia 2025 – Leg 3

LEG 3 – THURSDAY 19th JUNE

After the turnaround in the capital, the Red Arrow will head north, passing Orvieto and Città della Pieve. The third leg will wind through charming Tuscan villages and hills, reaching Foiano della Chiana, Arezzo, Anghiari and Sansepolcro. Having crossed the Apennines, the cars will enter the Republic of San Marino, then continue towards Gambettola and Cesena before concluding the third leg in Cervia-Milano Marittima, on the Romagna Riviera.

Orvieto

A jewel set on a tuff cliff

Art, culture and traditions accompany you every step of the way in Orvieto, a jewel set on a tuff cliff in Umbria, the green heart of Italy that chronicles a history of over 3,000 years. The city is undoubtedly known worldwide for the Duomo and the Pozzo di San Patrizio. The Duomo, an incredible expression of Gothic-Romanesque architecture, has been called the “Golden Lily of Cathedrals” for the golden mosaics that decorate its unmistakable façade. The Pozzo di San Patrizio (St Patrick’s Well), built in 1527 by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger at the behest of Pope Clement VII, is an authentic masterpiece of engineering: dug 54 metres deep into the tuff, it consists of two spiral staircases of 248 steps each, one for descending and one for ascending, that do not meet. Orvieto is a treasure chest that never ceases to amaze with the Torre del Moro and the Palazzo del Popolo, symbols of the power of the ancient Municipality, or with its fascinating medieval quarter where the church of San Giovenale, the oldest in the city, stands out. From the Etruscan period, then, we have numerous testimonies: among the most important are the Necropolis of the Crocefisso del Tufo and the “Fanum Voltumnae”, the ancient federal sanctuary of the Etruscans, discovered after a series of important excavation campaigns in the Campo della Fiera area.

Città della Pieve

Città della Pieve: authentic beauty between Umbria and Tuscany

Suspended between sky and earth, on the harmonious border between two lands of art, Città della Pieve welcomes the travellers of the 1000 Miglia with its authentic, timeless charm. An unspoilt medieval village perched on a hill between Lake Trasimeno and the Valdichiana, it offers spectacular views and a gentle pace of life rooted in nature and culture.

This is where Pietro Vannucci, known as Il Perugino, Raphael’s teacher, was born: his enchanting landscapes are the living backdrop to a city that speaks of art in every corner. Treasures such as the Adoration of the Magi and the Baptism of Christ enrich a well-preserved historic centre, where the famous Vicolo Baciadonne, one of the narrowest streets in Italy, stands out as a symbol of playful and sincere hospitality.

The culinary tradition seduces with intense aromas and authentic flavours, first and foremost saffron, the precious flower of the Pieve area.

Città della Pieve is not just a leg of the race: it is an emotion that stays with you. Discovering it means coming into contact with the purest soul of the Italian lifestyle, as National Geographic wrote. This is why it continues to enchant artists, actors, sportsmen and travellers from all over the world.

Here, every bend is beauty. Every stop is a wonder.

Foiano della Chiana

Nestled in the heart of the Valdichiana area of Arezzo

Foiano della Chiana, nestled in the heart of the Valdichiana area of Arezzo, is a village that enchants visitors with its history, art and tradition. Known as the home of Italy’s oldest carnival, documented since 1539, every year between February and March, its streets come alive with spectacular parades of allegorical papier-mâché floats, the result of the work of the four city workshops: Azzurri, Bombolo, Nottambuli and Rustici. A riot of colour, music and creativity that involves visitors of all ages.

But Foiano is also a jewel of Renaissance art. Its churches house masterpieces by the Della Robbia family, masters of glazed terracotta. Among the most famous works are Andrea della Robbia’s “Madonna della Cintola” in the Collegiate Church of Saints Martin and Leonardo, recently restored, and the “Madonna della Neve” in the Church of Santa Maria della Fraternita.

Strolling through its streets, you can breathe in a unique atmosphere, where every corner tells centuries of history and beauty. Foiano della Chiana is an unmissable destination for those who want to enjoy an authentic experience of culture, art and tradition.

Arezzo

Arezzo a unique setting

From Etruscan craftsmanship to “Life is Beautiful”. A city worthy of an Oscar, as demonstrated by the bronze statues of exceptional value found here, the Minerva and the Chimera, and the “little statue” awarded to Roberto Benigni for the film shot in Arezzo. In between, a history of over 2,000 years of great events and cultural life. Mecenate, Guido Monaco, Francesco Petrarca, Cimabue, Piero della Francesca, Giorgio Vasari, Guillaume de Marcillat: these are just some of the world-famous names who found either their birthplace or a place for their artistic development and production here. The free Municipality established its first statutes in the 11^th century, marking the beginning of a history of rivalry and bell tower competition with other Tuscan and neighbouring cities. The famous jurist Roffredo Epifanio, who arrived from Bologna, is credited with establishing the university. For all this, Arezzo could boast many titles: city of art but also city of music. This continued into the modern era, where the ancient craft tradition of the Italic people sublimated in the goldsmithing industry. The Giostra del Saracino, held twice a year, and the Fiera Antiquaria, held on the first weekend of every month, are the main events that are the icing on the cake: the former is medieval in character, while the latter is dedicated to antiques, modern art, vintage items and quality craftsmanship. Both make the historic centre of Arezzo a unique setting.

Sansepolcro

At the foot of the last stretch of the Tuscan Apennines

Located at the foot of the last stretch of the Tuscan Apennines, Sansepolcro dominates the Upper Tiber Valley as it opens up into a vast and harmonious hilly amphitheatre. The urban layout within the quadrilateral walls has remained medieval, enriched with fine Renaissance and Baroque buildings. The truly remarkable artistic heritage is mainly housed in the Civic Museum, where you can admire the Polyptych of the Madonna della Misericordia and the Resurrection by Piero della Francesca, the great artist born in this town at the beginning of the 15th century. Among the most interesting buildings are the Romanesque Cathedral, the Loggia delle Laudi (16th century) and the Church of San Francesco (13th century). Among the events worth mentioning is the traditional Palio della Balestra, which takes place on the second Sunday in September.

San Marino

The Most Beautiful Race in the World in the World’s Oldest Republic

There is one thing in common between the 1000 Miglia and San Marino. Both have managed to preserve their history perfectly over the course of time. After the start in Rome, during the third leg on 19 June, the race will pass through the City-State of San Marino.

More than one thousand seven hundred years of independence and freedom, between history and legend, are the peculiarity of the oldest Republic in the world, a strip of land perched on Mount Titano, in the heart of Italy. Popes, generals and even Emperor Napoleon respected this land’s testimony of freedom over the centuries.

The cultural tradition and the values of authenticity, freedom and identity that have remained unchanged over the centuries are the reasons why UNESCO, in 2008, included the Historic Centre of San Marino, the Borgo Maggiore Historic Centre and Mount Titano in its list of World Heritage Sites. The site encompasses the entire visual panorama of the mountain, which juts out towards the Adriatic Sea from the height of its 755 metres, resembling the prow of a ship, as if it wanted to return to the sea where its rocks were formed millions of years ago.

The uniqueness of the oldest republic in the world is waiting to be discovered, by visiting it in any season and strolling through the pretty streets of a town that is unique in the world.

Gambettola

In the Province of Forlì-Cesena

Gambettola is a town in the Province of Forlì-Cesena, covering an area of almost 8 km², with a population of about 11.000.

The current layout dates back to the 1930s and, although it does not boast buildings of strong historical importance, it is a fascinating place because ancient and special activities find development there, the main one being the recycling of old iron and the historic workshops of hand-printed canvas. In the postwar period, many people decided to start collecting rags and discarded material, creating a virtuous economy of recycling and reuse. They invented the business of recovering war materials, creating important realities and family-run businesses of demolition and recovery of metal parts. Thus, the figure of the Stracciaiolo (ragman) came into being, to whom a monument is also dedicated, who traveled on heavy, battered bicycles and collected rags and old tools from house to house and then resold them.

In recent years, Gambettola has also undergone a strong development from a socio-cultural point of view, investing significant resources for the enhancement of public properties (e.g., the Municipal Theater, with a strong connotation for figure theater; the ‘Station of the Artists’, which hosts exhibitions, artistic residencies and creative workshops; ‘Casa Fellini’, the home where the well-known director’s paternal grandparents lived, constituting a new cultural hub dedicated to training on film and circus art, also through the activation of moments of hospitality).

Cervia

The Red Arrow in the heart of the Romagna Riviera

The first leg of the 1000 Miglia 2023 ended in one of the main tourist resorts of the Romagna Riviera: on 13th June the Red Arrow arrived in Cervia. Founded as a salt mining town, its past can still be felt today among the ancient and imposing Salt Warehouses and the San Michele Tower. In the seaside town, along the canal port, the warmth and liveliness of a typical fishing village with its small terraced houses shines through. A 9-km-long beachfront offers opportunities for fun and pure relaxation. Welcoming and hospitable, it is appreciated throughout Europe for the quality of its services. There are many locations immersed in nature: from the green of the pine forests to the blue of the sea, the white of the salt mounds, the pink of the flamingos that populate the Salina (Saltern), the southern station of the Po Delta Park. Guests are also welcomed by the flavours of both the traditional and more innovative Romagna cuisines, which make use a special ingredient: the sweet salt of Cervia.