The XII European Championships will be taking place in Pesaro, Italy from the 21st – 30th June 2024 and the official website and social media has now gone live at fimbapesaro2024.com.
Proclaimed Italy’s Capital of Culture for 2024, Pesaro is the perfect venue for the next Maxibasketball European Championships, as a charming and vibrant city where history and culture meet next to the natural beauty of the Adriatic Coast. It has an ideal geographical location with a natural harbor and a long sandy beach. Known for its crystal-clear waters (Blue Flag) and mild climate, Pesaro is a popular tourist destination for both Italian and international visitors. It is located at the foot of Mount San Bartolo, offering a spectacular view of the Adriatic Coast and numerous opportunities for hiking and cycling.
Pesaro is a historic city with a rich cultural and artistic tradition, boasting numerous attractions such as the Civic Museum and the Municipal Art Gallery, where you can admire works of local and international artists, the Cathedral, the Ducal Palace, and the Rossini Theater. The historic center is characterized by cobblestone streets and historic buildings, while the promenade offers breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea. It also has a vibrant cultural and artistic scene and was designated a City of Music by UNESCO in 2017, thanks to figures like Rossini, the Rossini Opera Festival (ROF), Pavarotti, and various musical entities. The city hosts an important music festival, the Rossini Opera Festival, dedicated to Rossini’s music and cultural legacy, held annually in August.
Gioacchino Rossini is a fundamental figure in Pesaro’s history. The composer was born here in 1792. Rossini is primarily known for his operatic works, including “The Barber of Seville,” “La Cenerentola,” and “William Tell.” In the historic center of Pesaro, you can visit the Rossini Theater, where many of the composer’s works were performed, as well as Rossini’s birthplace, which has now been transformed into a museum.
The city is also known for its ceramic production and delicious cuisine, including the famous fish stew, “brodetto di pesce,” and the Romagnola flatbread, “piadina.” For food enthusiasts, Pesaro is renowned for its traditional cuisine based on fresh seafood, homemade pasta, and seasonal vegetables. The city is also famous for its local wines, such as Bianchello del Metauro. If you’re a pizza lover, we recommend trying the “pizza Rossini“, a local specialty inspired by the renowned composer, which you can only find here.
Pesaro is also an ideal destination for sports enthusiasts (European City of Sport in 2017), with numerous opportunities for water sports like swimming, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and sailing. Above all, the city has a great passion for basketball. The local team, Victoria Libertas, has a long and proud tradition of success in Italian and European basketball. The team plays their home games at the Vitrifrigo Arena, one of the country’s most modern and comfortable sports facilities.
In addition to tourism, museums, art, and gastronomic products, the surroundings of Pesaro offer numerous opportunities for excursions and day trips. There are beautiful coastal and hilly landscapes and many beautiful places to visit within a half-hour drive, such as Gradara and San Marino. Just 30 minutes by car, you’ll find Urbino, a city of art and culture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its university and as the birthplace of the famous Renaissance painter Raphael. A 20-minute drive takes you to Fano, a seaside city with a rich history and culture, fine sandy beaches, and a marina.
FIMBA GB will be sending the largest number of teams in it’s history to the event, ranging from +35-70+, and you still have the opportunity to represent your country in the beautiful Italian city, send your expression of interest to admin@fimba-gb.com.
