Editing Rimini (section)

=== Renaissance and Enlightenment ===
[[File:Georg Braun Rimini (1572).jpg|thumb|View of Rimini, engraving by Georg Braun (1572)]]
At the beginning of the 16th century, Rimini, now a secondary town of the Papal States, was ruled by an [[Apostolic Legate]]. Towards the end of the 16th century, the municipal square (now Piazza Cavour), which had been closed off on a site where the Poletti Theatre was subsequently built, was redesigned. The statue of [[Pope Paul V]] has stood in the centre of the square next to the fountain since 1614.

In the 16th century, the 'grand square', which was where markets and tournaments were held, underwent various changes. A small temple dedicated to [[Anthony of Padua|Saint Anthony of Padua]] and a clock tower were built there, giving the square its present shape and size.

Until the 18th century raiding armies, earthquakes, famines, floods and pirate attacks ravaged the city. In this gloomy situation and due to a weakened local economy, fishing took on great importance, a fact testified by the construction of structures such as the fish market and [[Rimini Lighthouse]].

In 1797, Rimini, along with the rest of [[Romagna]], was affected by the passage of the [[Grande Armée|Napoleonic army]] and became part of the [[Cisalpine Republic]]. [[Bonapartism|Napoleonic policy]] suppressed the monastic orders, confiscating their property and thus dispersing a substantial heritage, and demolished many churches including the ancient cathedral of Santa Colomba.