A life bound up with Italia in Miniatura, more than forty years at the helm of the park his father founded, and a passion that went well beyond work. The family of Paolo Rambaldi, the 73-year-old who died on Tuesday, 20 October, in a farming accident in the hills of Montefiore Conca, has broken its silence, entrusting a long message to the memory of a man who left his mark on the history of one of the Riviera’s best-known attractions.
“With our hearts broken, we announce that on 20 October 2026, Paolo Rambaldi left us.” These are the opening words of the statement signed by his wife Clare, his children Julie, Ivo, Claudio and Romeo, and his sisters Silvia, Lisa and Ivana, together with their respective families.
The words speak above all of who Paolo was — his character, his drive, the energy he poured into projects and relationships with others. “Paolo was born to bring joy, courage and vision.”
Rambaldi grew up alongside Italia in Miniatura. As a boy he took part in building the park his father had envisioned, later inheriting it and leading it for more than four decades. A journey that began on the ground, when the park was still a project in the making, and continued until it became the work of a lifetime.
The family remembers him through photographs, from the earliest images showing him as a very young man already at work building the park, to pictures from the events organised over the years, including the rugby matches held at the foot of the park’s historic monuments.
“As the son of the founder of Italia in Miniatura, there isn’t a single photograph of Paolo that doesn’t show his great, positive energy and his charisma.”
The message paints the portrait of a curious, enterprising person, always ready to throw himself into new experiences and to carry others along with his ideas. The family speaks of his inexhaustible passion, his belief in the possibility of making dreams come true, and his gift for making shared moments special.
“Paolo gave intensity to every moment of his own life and to those of others.” A way of living that, according to his relatives, shaped everything he did, from his work to his personal interests.
The tragedy unfolded in the late afternoon of Tuesday, in a field near Via Gemmano, in Montefiore Conca. Rambaldi was harvesting olives when he was struck by the trailer of a tractor.
According to initial reconstructions, the vehicle was climbing a dirt track with its trailer loaded with harvested olives. The 73-year-old was walking behind it.
For reasons still to be clarified, the driver apparently lost control of the tractor, which began rolling backwards. The trailer struck Rambaldi, who was in its path and had no time to avoid the impact. Immediately afterward, the trailer overturned onto its side.
Emergency medical crews, firefighters and carabinieri arrived at the scene around 6:30 pm. Unfortunately, the rescue efforts proved futile. The injuries suffered by the 73-year-old were too severe, and the doctor could only confirm his death.
The tractor’s driver suffered minor injuries and was in a state of shock. Carabinieri from the Riccione company, together with officers from the Montefiore Conca station, are working to establish the exact dynamics of the accident and determine why the vehicle suddenly rolled backward.
A sudden death that has left the family grappling with overwhelming grief. In the message released after the tragedy, his wife, children and sisters dwell above all on Paolo’s character, his wit and his ability to face situations with lightness.
“The irony and lightness with which he faced life, his gift for creating wonders, and the serenity he conveyed are what sustain us in this devastating moment.”
In the hours since his death, the family has received countless messages of support and affection, for which they wished to publicly express their gratitude.
“On behalf of the whole family, we thank from our hearts everyone who has shown us closeness and affection.”
The date of the funeral has not yet been set, or at least not made public. Details regarding the service will be announced as soon as possible. In the meantime, the family has made an appeal to those expressing condolences: “We ask that our privacy be respected at this time.”
