Federico Fellini Trail (Self Guided), Rimini

Even those vaguely familiar with cinema perhaps have heard of Federico Fellini. In recent history, the picturesque resort town of Rimini, on the Adriatic coast of Italy, "marked" itself primarily as the birthplace and the final resting place of this great film director.

Fellini lived in Rimini from January 1920, when he was born, until January 1939, when he moved out to Rome. While not having made a single movie in his hometown, Fellini often talked about those 19 years he had spent here. And the citizens of Rimini duly reciprocate, often cashing in on and giving the name of their famous fellow countryman to everything they can. There is an international airport named after Fellini, a railway station, and a bus station, not to mention an entire quarter of the town and one of the local parks.

The romance between Federico and motion picture began at Cinema Fulgor; here, as a young kid, he watched "Maciste all'Inferno" sitting on his dad's lap. Later, Cinema Fulgor appeared in Fellini's Roma and it's where everybody tries to conquer the heart of the La Gradisca character in Amarcord.

At the height of his fame, the Maestro used to return to Rimini usually at night, leaving early in the following morning, just to spend a few hours talking with his childhood friend, Titta, in their favorite "secret hideout", the cozy Piazzetta Teatini.

Another location, the director's museum in the 15th-century Castel Sismondo, designed by Brunelleschi, is now a popular attraction with both locals and tourists. Inside, you will find numerous images of Maestro's wife, Giulietta Masina, a special section dedicated to his friend, poet and author, Tonino Guerra, and other exhibits illustrating Fellini's beloved topic, the world of dreams: "Nulla si sa, tutto si immagina" (Nothing is known, everything is imagined).

Borgo San Giuliano, also known as the Fellini quarter, is a delightful neighbourhood in which the Italian movie maker grew up. It is now lavishly adorned with street art, featuring characters and locations from his works.

To honor Federico, you can also visit the Grand Hotel where young Fellini once worked as a caricaturist and which he loved so much that he replicated it in Cinecittà studios in Rome for Amarcord.

To immerse in the atmosphere that enchanted the future great cinematographer and to discover Rimini, the city in which he was born and died, through the eyes of its illustrious son, take this self-guided walking tour.