Mercato Saraceno, Italian comune
Mercato Saraceno is a small municipality in the Province of Forlì-Cesena built on three terraced levels next to the Savio River. Narrow cobbled streets, old churches, and a central piazza connect the town's core to surrounding hills, forests, and farmland.
The town was founded around 1153 when Saraceno from Ravenna established a market near an old water mill by the river. It remained part of the Papal States for centuries, and in the 1800s sulfur mining in the surrounding mountains brought economic growth and improved infrastructure.
Mercato Saraceno centers on its historic market tradition that has brought farmers, craftspeople, and residents together for centuries. The main square and local vendors reflect how people remain connected to fresh local products, traditional recipes, and seasonal rhythms that define daily life.
The town is small and easy to walk on foot, with narrow alleys and level ground around Piazza Mazzini. For exploring the surrounding countryside, bicycles and walking shoes are practical, as many trails and farm roads run through forests and hills.
Palazzo Dolcini, built in 1927, houses one of the rare examples of interwar rationalist architecture in the region, now containing cinemas and event spaces. The building displays soft colors and decorative details that distinctly preserve this historical architectural style.
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