San Giovanni in Persiceto
Welcome to San Giovanni in Persiceto!
Hello everyone! Today I'm going to talk about San Giovanni in Persiceto, an Italian municipality in the metropolitan city of Bologna, in Emilia-Romagna.
Origins of the name
The name "San Giovanni in Persiceto" derives from the cult of St. John the Baptist, while the second part of the name (persicetum) indicates a peach orchard, or a fruit grove with Prunus persica. During the period from 1912 to 1927, the municipality was renamed simply "Persiceto," following an anticlerical choice.
History
From Antiquity to the 16th century
The municipality of San Giovanni in Persiceto has been inhabited since Ancient times, as evidenced by the remains of the ancient Bronze Age and early Iron Age civilization. During the Roman period, there was a "vicus" consisting of a cluster of houses and lands. Subsequently, under the domination of the Exarchate of Ravenna, the territory was affected by works to contain the waters, and in the Byzantine period, it was crossed by a defensive line erected against the Lombards, who occupied the area around 727, giving rise to the "Duchy of Persiceto."
From the 16th century to present day
After the fall of the Lombard Kingdom, the territory of San Giovanni in Persiceto belonged to the County of Modena for a long period. The Nonantola Abbey exercised its supremacy over the territory, but the parish church of San Giovanni, founded by the bishops of Bologna, became increasingly important, so much so as to obtain the concession of new uncultivated and marshy lands from the Agricultural Participation of Nonantola.
Curiosities about San Giovanni in Persiceto
Today, San Giovanni in Persiceto is a lively and dynamic municipality, with a population of 27,811 inhabitants. Every year, the municipality organizes the "Grape Festival," an event that celebrates the grape harvest and the wine heritage of the area. Furthermore, San Giovanni in Persiceto is the administrative headquarters of the Terre d'Acqua Union, an important territorial reality that aims to increase the socio-economic and cultural development of the Bolognese territory.
What to see in San Giovanni in Persiceto
If you are in the area, I recommend visiting the church of San Giovanni Battista, built in Romanesque style in the 12th century and renovated in the 18th century. Inside, you'll find frescoes of great artistic and historical value. You can also walk through the historic center of the village and admire the characteristic "round village," perhaps born during the Lombard period.
Conclusion
In conclusion, San Giovanni in Persiceto is a beautiful municipality rich in history. If you have the chance to visit it, don't hesitate to do so! You won't regret it.
