 At the beginning of the 20th century, The Grand Hotel, the city's first major accommodation facility, was built near the beach.During the first World War, Rimini and its surrounding infrastructure was one of the primary targets of the Austro-Hungarian Navy.After Italy's declaration of war on 15 May 1915, the Austro-Hungarian fleet left its harbours the same day and started its assault on the Adriatic coast between Venice and Barletta.