San Giovanni in Marignano, the village of agriculture

The name San Giovanni in Marignano comes from the Church of Saint John the Baptist in Castelvecchio (13th century) and from the ancient Roman estate Mariniani, in a fertile area rich in harvests. Its origins are tied to the Conca Valley and Roman colonies, with villas such as Montelupo. The current village, originally called Castelnuovo, developed in the 13th century around the Monastery of San Pietro, thanks to the agricultural work of the Benedictine Cassinesi monks, with a rectangular urban layout and more than 200 grain pits. From the 14th century, the area came under the rule of the Malatesta family, who reinforced its defenses between 1438 and 1442 with the help of Filippo Brunelleschi. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, the hamlets of Sant’Antonio and della Scuola grew, linked to trade and religion. In the 20th century, amid wars and agrarian struggles, San Giovanni faced economic difficulties until the 1950s, when tourism and craftsmanship revived the economy, transforming the town into a hub for the fashion industry.

Discovering the village

Before entering the village, the pastel-toned Church of Santa Lucia stands out, built in 1786 on a 16th-century structure and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin of Grace. Noteworthy is the 18th-century organ by the Ricci brothers, still used for concerts. In front of it opens Piazza Silvagni, built in the 18th century as a market square, bordered by the church and the civic tower, originally the exit tower of the medieval castle and part of the fortifications commissioned by Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta.

Passing through the tower, the fortified village unfolds along the “middle street,” with 18th–19th century buildings and about two hundred grain pits from the 14th–15th centuries, evidence of its role as a food reservoir for trade. Among the main buildings: the Church of San Pietro, dating back to the 13th century and renovated in the 18th, which preserves works by Nicolò Rondinelli and Domenico Toschini; the A. Massari Theater, a historic Romagna theater transformed in 1855 into a horseshoe shape; and Palazzo Corbucci, former residence of the Malatesta, now home to an exhibition on peasant culture.

The route ends with the climb to the Church of Santa Maria in Pietrafitta (1730), which preserves a fragment of a Carolingian pluteus (8th–9th century). Other notable religious buildings include the Church of the Madonna del Monte (1699) and San Giovanni Battista in Isola di Brescia, with a sacred art gallery.

Events and traditions

San Giovanni in Marignano hosts cultural and folkloric events that celebrate traditions, art, and local products. La Notte delle Streghe (The Night of the Witches), held every June since 1988, marks the beginning of the Romagna summer. The village comes alive with craft markets, shows, entertainment, and food specialties. The event revives popular rites linked to the Solstice and Saint John, culminating in the evocative “Burning of the Witch” at midnight. For five days, Italian and international artists entertain audiences with acrobatics, magic, and performances.

On the fourth Sunday of September, the New Year of Wine and Palio della Pigiatura celebrates local wine and farming traditions. The village districts compete by stomping grapes barefoot, while the public enjoys tastings of wines and typical products, relives ancient crafts, and attends games and shows.

On December 13, the Ancient Fair of Santa Lucia recalls the winter solstice, the patron saint of sight, and the village’s agricultural vocation, with exchanges of goods and livestock. Completing the cultural offer is the theater and music season of the A. Massari Theater, active year-round with performances for all ages.

San Giovanni in Marignano is a place where history, agriculture, and tradition intertwine, offering visitors a vivid journey through time and culture.

photo credits Roman Sigaev