Sant'Agata sul Santerno
Sant'Agata sul Santerno: a jewel in the Romagna plain
Hello everyone! Today I will talk to you about Sant'Agata sul Santerno, a beautiful town located in the province of Ravenna in Emilia-Romagna. With its 2860 inhabitants, it is the third smallest municipality in the province by population, but don't be fooled by its size! Sant'Agata is a small pearl set in the Romagna plain, with ancient history and rich in events.
Physical Geography
Territory
The Municipality is located in the Romagna plain, on the left bank of the Santerno river. It's not very far from Ravenna, only 33 km west of the city. A very strategic location, isn't it?
History
From foundation to Unification of Italy
Sant'Agata sul Santerno's history dates back to the Byzantine civilization that founded it to protect themselves from the continuous raids of the Lombards. The city had a defensive line dotted with small military outposts called ''castra.'' The inhabited center of Sant'Agata had the typical dimensions of a village protected by a ditch with a bank, and was born simultaneously with the construction of the outpost. The parish church, built outside the walls, was dedicated to Sant'Agata, probably as a sign of good omen, since the city of Catania, the first to be reconquered by the Byzantines during their campaign in Italy, had already been named after the saint. The parish church had both a religious and civil function, and the name of the town derives from the name itself.
However, in the thirteenth century, the parish of Sant'Agata was flooded several times, until it was definitively abandoned around 1300. In its place, the parish church was built, located inside the walls. The surrounding territory was mainly occupied by woods, known as the ''Magnum forestum'' of medieval chronicles.
Between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, Sant'Agata was at the center of clashes between opposing troops, but in 1440, Pope Eugene IV gave some lands of Bassa Romagna in feud to the Estensi of Ferrara. The town then took the name of Sant'Agata Ferrarese, which it kept until the Unification of Italy. In 1487, the inhabitants obtained from the Este the Statute, that is the collection of the self-government laws of the city.
Tourism
What to visit in Sant'Agata sul Santerno
If you're wondering what to visit in Sant'Agata sul Santerno, you can't miss the imposing parish church of Santa Maria Assunta, located in the historic center of the town. The Romanesque-Gothic style church dates back to 1300 and was rebuilt after a fire in 1672. Inside, you can admire a beautiful 13th-century fresco depicting the Virgin Mary with the Child.
Not too far from the inhabited center is also the Romagna Gypsum Vein Regional Park, a protected natural area open all year round where you can go for walks, hiking, biking excursions, and much more.
Gastronomy
What to eat in Sant'Agata sul Santerno
If you are passionate about gastronomy and Romagna cuisine, you can't leave Sant'Agata without tasting the famous ''piadina,'' a typical Romagna bread in flat shape and cooked on a griddle. I also recommend trying the ''cassone,'' a sort of pizza filled with many tasty ingredients.
Conclusion
Sant'Agata sul Santerno: a must-visit destination
Sant'Agata sul Santerno is an ideal destination for those who want to discover the beauty of the Romagna plain, accompanied by the secular history and culture that have characterized these places since the Byzantine era. I recommend visiting this municipality at least once in your lifetime, which will leave you enchanted with its welcoming atmosphere and the beauty of its historical monuments. What are you waiting for? Hurry to book your stay in Sant'Agata sul Santerno!
