Twenty kilometers far from the Adriatic Coast, in the middle of the Valconca, 85 m above sea level stands Morciano di Romagna.
Natural crossroad for territorial trades, it is the commercial capital of the valley.
To the root of its vocation there is the Antica Fiera di San Gregorio, that every year in March, at least since 1200, makes Morciano the throbbing heart of Romagna.
Morciano is famous as the birthplace of the sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro, as country of origin of the futurist painter Umberto Boccioni (born in Reggio Calabria, by parents from Morciano, he always considered himself a native of Romagna), and for the Old Pasta factory Ghigi.

The country reached the peak of its prosperity at the end of the nineteenth century.
Its origins date back to an undetermined time.
Maybe it was founded in Roman times by a member of the Marcia family.
A medieval inscription mentions a “fundus Morciani”.
In 1014 the feudal lord Bennone bequeathed the “castrum” to his son Peter.
He donated it to St. Peter Damian, hermit and reformer of the Church, who in 1061 founded the Abbey of St. Gregory in Conca.

Documented since 1200, the Fiera di San Gregorio, agricultural commercial and cattle market, was born in the cloister of the monastery,
Despite the destruction caused by the floods of the Conca river, the village always called the attention of the potentates.
At the end of the twelfth century the village and the market were subjected to Montefiore, while the remaining territory belonged to the nearby San Clemente.
In 1797 Napoleon’s troops removed the Abbey of St. Gregory.
The fair was then transferred towards today’s Morciano.
In 1827 Morciano became “appodiato” city-state (of lower order) of San Clemente.
It was the first step towards autonomy, which was finally decreed in 1857.

It was the beginning of a great development.
In 1870 the baker Nicola Ghigi gave birth to his Pasta factory.
“Per mangiare sano, pasta Ghigi Morciano” (to eat healthy), this was the slogan that, through “Carosello” in the early ’60s, made worldwide famous the pasta of Ronci Street, 47.
From the small laboratory (still today there you can read “Fabbrica, pane e paste salsamenteria Nicola Ghigi”), the company of family moved in the ’60s into the imposing yellow structure whose high chimney has long been the symbol of Morciano.
Recently demolished, but partly saved in order to become seat of public utilities, the old building, for the company’s choices, has been replaced by a new plant in the neighbouring town of San Clemente.

Almost nothing remains of the ancient village of Morciano.
The rationalist concept given to the country at the beginning of the twentieth century, with wide and symmetrical streets, is enchanting.

Sights: the oldest part of the village with the eighteenth century narrow streets, the civic tower, the fountain-sculpture of Umberto Corsucci (appreciated sculptor who there lives and works); at Umberto Boccioni square the monument “Blow of wing: tribute to Boccioni” by Arnaldo Pomodoro; just two kilometers far from the center the ruins of the Abbey of St. Gregory in Conca, with austere but valuable architectural structures and the natural terrace on the river.

Places of worship: the Church of St. Michael the Archangel and the chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Grace.

Events: around March 12 and for eight days the Antica Fiera di San Gregorio, with the exhibition of agricultural, handicraft, industrial products, the cattle market, the exposition of agricultural machine, a lot of spectacular events.
In late November and early December Morcianantico, exhibition-market of antique trade.
In November the Fiera dei Golosi.

For gourmets: delicious cuisine at the renowned restaurants.

For people who love nature: hiking along the banks of Conca river or to reach five examples of ancient mills (Casarola, Malatesta, Rossi, Valle, Trado).

Curios: the dried figs are the symbol of the Fiera di San Gregorio and during the event they are sold to quintals.
On the same occasion hosts and shopkeepers hang on the door a frond, ancient propitiatory symbol.

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