In Cesenatico and the surrounding area, music is part of the local identity.
The Romagna ballroom dance, with its melodies and fascinating rhythm, tells a story of encounters, celebrations and togetherness.
The notes of ‘Romagna mia’, written by Secondo Casadei, still resound today through the squares and along the seafront.
This two-day itinerary takes in the iconic sites of Romagna’s music, between events, open-air venues and an atmosphere that transforms every moment into an experience to be shared, following the rhythm of music that has been accompanying life’s pleasant moments for over a century.
Ballroom dancing is the soundtrack of a community that loves to get together, dance, and celebrate its identity with a smile. Here, where tradition meets the sea, ballroom music is much more than a genre: it is a way of experiencing Romagna.
Tip
In summer, you can choose to stay wherever you like and extend your stay to make the most of the typical seaside experience in Romagna given how close the resorts are to one another.
Gatteo Mare is one of the iconic locations of Romagna’s Liscio dance, linked to the Casadei family.
Secondo Casadei and Raoul Casadei were born here, leaders of a musical genre that has inspired entire generations of dancers and still represents the most authentic soul of the Riviera.
Today, the connection with Liscio dance can be felt as you stroll through
- squares named after Romagna Mia
- avenues illuminated by the lyrics of the most famous songs
- places dedicated to the Casadei family
- the scenic Rotonda Secondo Casadei, which represents the first symbolic welcome for those arriving in the city.
Events
● Settimana del Liscio - May and September - transforms squares and beaches into large open-air dance floors
● Sanliscio Festival - July - a singing competition dedicated to young talents, with live orchestras and musical evenings curated by Moreno Conficconi and Claudio Cecchetto
● Liscio Night - September - celebrates the encounter between popular tradition and modern influences, strengthening the sunny, welcoming, and festive identity of the Romagna Riviera.
Good to know
In summer, Gatteo Mare wakes up to the rhythm of the mazurka at dawn on the beach and continues dancing at the many evenings dedicated to the best Romagna orchestras.
Interesting Fact
Right here, in 1954, Secondo Casadei composed “Romagna mia” which over time has become the true anthem of
Romagna. The historic Casadei Orchestra, thanks to the “King of Liscio” Raoul Casadei and then to his son Mirko, has taken this music beyond the local borders, transforming it into a popular symbol known throughout Italy.
Another iconic location for Romagna liscio is San Mauro Mare.
As you walk along the charming seafront, the unmistakable sound of accordions, drifting from the small venues scattered around the town centre – including the CasaDei romagnoli tavern run by Carolina Casadei, daughter of Raoul – mingles with the sound of the waves. Here, dancing isn’t just a show, but a moment of shared experience that reflects the identity of Romagna.
Not to be missed
- The large Arena Arcobaleno and Stefano Campana Park, both equipped with a permanent smooth dance floor, come alive on summer evenings with live bands and events dedicated to the musical traditions of Romagna, creating the magic of an open-air dance hall.
- The “SaMMauro in ballo” festival , which takes place every Friday from June to September, hosts the region’s finest orchestras, who perform live on stage to create an experience that combines music, culture and hospitality. An opportunity to discover the most authentic side of Romagna, led by the notes of traditional Romagna ballroom music as you wander amongst the sea, the squares and the smiles.
Cesenatico has its own deep roots in the tradition of ballroom dancing.
Here, the connection with the Casadei family is stronger than ever: every 15 August, on Raoul Casadei’s birthday, the avenue linking Cesenatico to Gatteo Mare is transformed into a huge open-air stage.
The Mirko Casadei POPular Folk Orchestra lights up the evening with a long night of music, dancing and hugs, to celebrate the man who brought the traditions of Romagna to the world.
The event takes place in Via delle Nazioni, where neon signs displaying the lyrics of the song “Romagna Capitale” – Raoul’s anthem to his homeland – shine brightly throughout the summer.
Interesting facts
On the seafront stands a landmark of the Romagna summer: ‘La Caravella’, a historic dance hall that has kept entire generations dancing since the 1950s and which Raoul Casadei mentions in his song “Ti aspetto a Cesenatico”.
Good to know
Walking through the squares and avenues of Cesenatico, ballroom dancing is not just a collective memory, but a living experience thanks to a packed summer calendar of dance evenings.
It takes just a moment to imagine the scene: a terrace overlooking the sea, the small orchestra playing and couples gently gliding to the rhythm of a mazurka.
