|  We
bave perhaps more evidence about the past of San Giovanni than any
Qthertown in the Rimini area, including a precious collection of
archeological treasures. The Roman community of Fundus Matriniani
(3rd century BC to 5th century AD) was located in the area of Castelvecchio,
and it probably grew up around a rural villa with kilns, linked
more with the area to the south than with Rimini. The late Middle
Ages were a time of great expansion for San Giovanni, when it became
one of the most important administrative, juridical and economic
centres of Romagna.
The Church of Santa Maria in Marignano, the San Gregorio in Conca
Abbey, founded by St Peter Damian, and San Giovanni Castle alI date
back to this epoch. In the 13th century, the area carne into the
possession of the monasteries of Ravenna by way of generous donations,
and an intense programme of agricultural improvement was embarked
upon, so that San Giovanni and the surrounding  countryside
soon became the leading producer of grain in the region. The bountiful
harvests were stored in a series of cellars dug far the purpose
by the side of the main streets of the town, within the the walls,
and these afe described in manycontemporary documents. At this time,
the town was dominated by the Malatesta farnily, the Lords of Rimini,
whose rule continued uninterrupted for everal centuries until their
definitive decline.
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|  San
Giovanni is today a major centre for manufacturing industries, and
there are many famous factories for the production of fine quality
clothing and other goods. In the past, the considerable wealth which
accumulated in the area gave rise to a number annulli fairs, and
in the last century there were at least fifteen of these. The only
one of these which has survived is the Santa Lucia Fair, held around
13th December. This was once the most important
agricultural fair of the year, with great numbers of cattle and
pigs changing hands, as well as great amounts of produce, and was
held in the open country, near the church of Santa Lucia al Moscolo.
The main street of San Giovanni, Via di Mezzo or Via XX Settembre,
runs through the centre of the town, and is lined with shops, mansions
and public buildings. Other points of interest afe the medieval
quarters of Sant' Antonio and Scuola, and the town walls, built
in brick and surmounted
with turrets. This blend of architectural sty les is the result
of alterations made in
many different periods.
 Important
buildings include the small but delightful
Massari Theatre, recently restored, the Santa Lucia Church, built
in 1333 and extensively modified in the 15th century ,and the San
Pietro Church, which was a monastery when San Giovanni was ruled
by the San Vitale Abbey in Ravenna, and the only building of the
Benedictine order to bave been reopened after the Napoleonic Suppressions.
 The
present church was rebuilt in 1746-54, and contains an interesting
painting of Saints Benedict and Maurus done by G. Lazzarini in 1753.
Just outside the town centre lies the Madonna del Monte Church,
erected in 1669 at Castelvecchio, on what is believed to bave been
the site of the San Giovanni in Marignano Church, built in 1157.
Another former monastery is the Parish Church of Santa Maria Pietrafitta,
rebuilt in 1730. Perhaps the best date on which to visit San Giovanni
is 24th June, the festival of the town's patron saint, but also
known traditionally as Witches' Night, when ancient customs afe
revived in the streets of the town centre with witchcraft, sorcery
and mysterious rites dedicated to the summer solstice, accompanied
by music, dancing and other entertainment events.
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The
fertility and beauty of its countryside earned San Giovanni the
name of the 'Granary of the Malatesta '. Situated at the centre
of the lower valley, where the landscape broadens out and the River
Conca prepares to meet the Adriatic Sea near Cattolica, San Giovanni'
s ancient walls encompass a small but important town where agriculture
and modern industries live together in perfect harmony.