Massignano is located 255 meters above sea level, according to some historians, was founded by Sabine in pre-Roman times, while others would be a suburb of the ancient Roman town of Cupra and extended. If, however, traces of pre-Roman life are few and confused, the same can not be said of the remains from Roman times. In some districts of the region were, in fact, found metal objects and pottery, a warehouse and an aqueduct, burial caves and plants of Roman villas. Since 1168 has documented the existence of the mighty “Castle Fork” (which today are part of the tower and some ruins) built by the counts of Aspromonte and Ghibellines Montefiore, later in the hands of the bishop of Fermo. For a long time Massignano remained independent, but in 1258 is subject to Fermo and in 1334 was attacked and looted by Rinaldo from Monteverde, Tyrant of Fermo and then was contested between Ascoli Piceno and Fermo. In 1532 the Ascoli stormed Massignano that from then on he was peacefully under the rule of the Pope, until the time of the French occupation in 1797. Restored to the government in 1816, was one of the countries which fought in the Marche Risorgimento ‘s Italian independence from European rulers. In the 30 ‘Massignano six workshops were active with their furnaces for the production of pottery on the wheel, specialized in the manufacture of domestic pottery, the so-called Coccetti were able to meet a great demand for all brands and neighboring regions, the to be popular even in the ancient Roman papacy. Unfortunately, after 50 years’ this tradition is gradually disappearing. A Massignano today you can visit the parish museum of sacred art and August 14 each year is held the “Festival of Pancakes” the oldest festival in the province of Ascoli Piceno.
