Sarsina

Sarsina is a village of ancient origins, founded by a population of Umbrian origin between the VI and the IV century B.C. Already in the III century B.C. Sarsina ruled a great state to here and beyond the ridge of the Apennines which included some valleys of Romagna and the upper Tiber River. Conquered by Rome in 266 B.C., became first “Federated City” and then “Municipality”. In 255-251 BC there was born Tito Maccio Plauto, the largest Latin comedy writer. Between the III and the IV century it had its first bishop, Vicinio, then became the patron saint of the diocese, whose fame as a healer and an exorcist was kept alive until our days. Decayed with the collapse of the Roman Empire, suffered devastation and looting and, while passing from one domain to another, managed to retain part of its importance as a bishopric.

The numerous testimonies of the ancient and glorious roman history are distributed within the historic center and kept in the National Archaeological Museum: one of the most interesting of northern Italy. The large Plautus Square, situated in the middle of the civitas, in the area of the ancient roman forum, closes in a lounge with the agile frame of the loggia, under the gaze of the millenary Cathedral, laughing in the warm redness of the facade. It represents a true “living room” for the sarsinati (people of Sarsina) and for the numerous tourists that every year visit the village. The “murello” of the parvis, hospitable bench for joyful gatherings, has been refined with some monuments of the roman necropolis of Pian di Bezzo.

Other findings can be found in the courtyard of the bishopric, to the right of the Basilica of San Vicinio: one of the most remarkable examples of Romanesque architecture in Romagna. Inside the Basilica are preserved the mortal remains of San Vicinio and its thaumaturgical “chain”, to which thousands and thousands of pilgrims every year come to receive the traditional “blessing”.

The testimony of the history of Sarsina are also preserved not only in the Archaeological Museum and the Basilica of San Vicinio, but also to the whole of the historical center, the Museum of Sacred Art and the small but charming medieval village of Calbano. The “Plautus Festival”, the “Roman Feast”, the “Sagra della Pagnotta” and the Feast of San Vicinio are the events that celebrate every year the original enogastronomy and splendours of this village, able to surprise and fascinate even the most distracted tourists.

The Plautina Arena, inaugurated in 1995, is located at the foot of the medieval village of Calbano on a gentle slope overlooking the media-Alta Valle del Savio. Provided by 2008 of a movable covering to protect both the public, both the stage, is able to accommodate up to 1,068 spectators in comfortable armchairs numbered. Every year – in the months of july and august – is here set up the prestigious Plautus Festival, recognized by the Ministry of Culture, already from 1996, theatrical festival of national importance. Established in 1956, every year proposes 12-15 drama staged by the most important theater companies and by the most renowned actors of the theater and of the national film industry.

For over 30 years, in the two Sundays before Easter, the most important spring event in Romagna has been taking place: Pagnotta Festival. For the occasion, the historic center of the Plautian city will come alive with stands of the most genuine Romagna food and wine and craftsmanship. The festival proposes to enhance one of the most original sweets of Romagna cuisine, typical of the Savio Valley and, in a very particular way, of Sarsina.
La Pagnotta has ancient origins and like many similar preparations, it was once nothing more than a sweetened bread, often enriched with some raisins, which was never missing in the farmers’ houses.