Cesena dates back to the 6th-5th century BC. Originally called Caizna by the Etruscans and then later as Cesena how it is today.

The arrival of the Romans in around 286BC made this little agglomerate in to a little village. Cesena was then took over by Goths of Theoderic and by the Byzantines up to the 6th Century. Centuries of changes of town rulers then occurred through from then until 1200AD. The town came under seige by the Pope's legate Albornoz, subjecting the fortress to battles in 1357AD. Eventually Albornoz won and gained hold of Cesena giving it a new governor's palace (which is today the Town Hall).

However shortly after Cesena had more troubles when the town was nearly ruined by Breton Soldiers but the Ruler of nearby Rimini, Galeotto Malatesta, was assigned by the current Pope Urban VI as the Vicar of Cesena. The Signoria of the Malatesta family then began which is the most important part of Cesena history.

Galeotto Malatesta had a new fortress built along with a great cathedral. His successsor in 1385AD, Andrea Malatesta, created the Piazza Inferiore which is now know as 'Piazza del Popolo' (The People's Square) which is the main square of the town. Following was Carlo and then in 1429 Novello Malatesta. Novello had a great passion for books and artists and therefore when the Franciscans from the local convent asked for a new library he was more than happy to give them one which was shared with all his citizens. This wonderful library 'La Biblioteca Malatestiana' was created between 1447 and 1452 and opened two years later along with the constructions of "La Fontana Masini" the Masini fountain found in the town square today. Novello died in 1465 and Cesena came back under the rule of the Pope.

In 1500AD Cesena was conquered, along with the Romagna region, by Cesere Borgia, of which he made Cesena his capital town of his little ducate. On the fall of the ducate Cesena once again passed to the State of the Church. Agriculture then started to dominate the town and remained as such for many years to come.

In 1775AD the town regained popularity when the local Giovan Angelo Braschi became Pope Pious VI. He was the first of 3 popes from Cesena with Pious VII Chiaramonti 1800-1823AD, born in Cesena and Pious VIII Castiglioni 1829-1830AD Bishop of Cesena following him.

The Unity of Italy gave birth to fierce political fights between Liberals (Senator Gaspare Finale) the Director of the Cittadino (Nazareno Trovenelli), the Republicans (Eugenio Valzania) and the Socialists (Pio Battistini). The Liberals kept power until the end of the 1800's when the Republicans of Ubaldo Commandini replaced them. At this time there was a figure called Renato Serra, and genius of literature, was shot to death durig the First World War in 1915, it is his "L'Esame di Coscienza di un Letterato" which still represents a mile-stone in our literature today.

The Second World War signified a huge growth in Cesena history with the main Gothic line with ran along the Appennine line very close to the town. The post-war period saw Cesena become an international key-point for agriculture for research and biotechnologies.

In 1992 Cesena gave it's name along with the close town of Forli for a new province which was named Forli-Cesena, boasting a leading position in other economic fields as well as fervent cultural life.

Today you will find Cesena a pleasant town with many examples of great architecture, many streets named after is famous participators in its history such as Via Battisti, Via Chiarmonti and Via Braschi along with many, many more.