Marche Breaks

Seemingly, in the past, on the hill dominating the Tenna river and the basin of the Ete Morto, where Rapagnano is located today, there was a temple dedicated to the God Janus. The name Ripa di Giano stems from this temple, and the numerous pre-Roman and Roman finds (amphorae, earthenware and bronze vases, spears, shields and helmets) unearthed in the late 19th century in San Triburzio confirm the quotations Pliny left with reference to this area.

Rapagnano is the town where John XVII was born (he became a Pope in 1003), during the Middle Ages it was a castle for the Bishop of Fermo, disputed between the families of Montegiorgio.

Despite the remarkable transformations it underwent between the 17th and the 18th centuries following an earthquake, Rapagnano still preserves its characteristics of a fortified hamlet.

An example is the 14th-century wall surrounding it, the town also preserves some of its original towers, and to reach its centre visitors have to pass thorough the Porta da Bora (on the northern side) or the Porta della Pesa (on the southern side).

Entering the latter you reach Piazza San Giovanni XVII, where you can admire the Municipality Palace, designed in 1791 by Virginio Bracci.

The Palace contains the library and the small Teatro delle Muse, where gatherings, exhibitions and shows are organized).

Visitors may also admire the high belfry dominating the narrow façade, the church San Giovanni Battista (Saint John the Baptist), erected in 1808 on the remains of two pre-existing churches.

The church keeps three paintings by Caludio Ridolfi, and a relic which worshippers attribute to Saint John, hence the church’s name.

A festival is organized every year in May, which is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist - the town’s patron. The pagan Festa del Grano (the wheat festival) is equally important, it is characterized by a parade of carts and figurants wearing costumes. Finally, visitors may take part in the Festa della Birra (Beer Festival), which is one of the town’s most popular festivals.