Gambettola, Italian comune
Gambettola is a small commune in the Province of Forlì-Cesena that stretches along the historic Via Emilia. The town sits on flat land between coast and hills and consists of narrow streets with shops, workshops, and modern facilities surrounded by farmland and green spaces.
The settlement emerged in the 13th century as a forest community and first appeared in records as Villa Bosco in the 15th century, falling under Malatesta rule. Following Napoleon's invasion the town merged with neighboring places and regained its modern name in the mid-1800s, though it suffered severe damage during World War II that led to reconstruction.
The name Gambettola hints at the forests that once covered the area. Today the town is shaped by local craft traditions, especially printed textiles made with rusted iron and the famous piadina romagnola, a simple flatbread that remains part of daily life here.
The town is easily reached by train or car from nearby cities like Forlì or Rimini, with both airports about 28 kilometers away. The best times to visit are May or September when the large Mostrascambio fair takes over with hundreds of stalls, or November for the traditional hemp fair featuring local craft products.
The Pascucci family has run a printed textile shop using rusted iron techniques since 1826, with known artists like Tonino Guerra designing custom patterns. Much of the postwar rebuilding activity was shaped by collecting and selling scrap metal and car parts, which later evolved into a specialization in antique markets.
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