The history of Cusercoli, in the territory of the municipality of Civitella di Romagna, has to do with the history of the castle that dominates the town. It was built on the site where a late Roman settlement already existed. It was precisely the characteristic rocky spur on which the town stands, barring the Bidente valley and forcing the river to deviate from its course, that generated a legend, which attributes the creation of the massive spur to the work of the mythical Hercules. The first medieval fortress dates back to the 12th century. In the 14th century, a fortified palace was added to the complex, which served as the feudal lord's residence. Later, the walls were extended and a second circle enclosed the entire surrounding village.
After a short uphill, we arrive in Castagnolo, with its church turned into a hermitage, the abandoned cemetery and numerous farmhouses that will accompany us until the bridge over the river.
We cross the river and continue to the SS4. There we turn right and walk along the field for about 200 meters.
We go down to the road and cross a small bridge. Turn left and go up Via Ferruccio Parri towards the center of the village; pass in front of the Rocca di Civitella, turn left, cross the square on the right and take Via Bruno Buozzi for 200 meters.
We turn right towards the river, which we reach after 600m and cross. Continue along the asphalt road for 700m and turn left at the first junction, leaving the road to go down again on the left towards the river: you pass two farmhouses and go around the river in a large bend to reach a horse breeding farm. Once you have crossed the breeding farm, you go up again and pass another farm to reach the area of the Chiesetta del Pantano on the right, dating back to the year 1000; you turn left and follow the road for about 2 km, which takes you directly to Galeata, passing by the archaeological area of the Villa of Theodoric. To enter the town, take Via Matteotti and then Via IV Novembre.
We continue along via Zanetti, via I° Maggio and via Castellucci (SP4).
At the end of the 5th century A.D., after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, the city moved downriver to where today's Galeata is located, where we traditionally place the settlement of two opposing communities, that of the young hermit Hilarius (now Italianized as St. Ellero) and that of King Theodoric. It was during this period that the very powerful abbey of St. Ellero was born. Let us therefore go up to Sant'Ellero along the charming Via delle Celline to visit the Abbey and then retrace our steps along the SP4. After 1 km we reach Pianetto and then Santa Sofia.
