THE
HISTORY

Between the town and the Adriatic coast, in the late medieval period, there were the important castles of Forcella and Boccabianca, as well as a landing place for boats and a anti-sbar fortified tower (Masignana tower) in the coastal area. The entire area, as well as exposed to Saracen raids, was for centuries disputed between Fermo and Ripatransone (then Ascoli Piceno).

In different areas of the town have been found not only remains of Roman times (including villas, aqueducts, coins, marbles, daughters for the manufacture of bricks) and medieval (especially churches, now disappeared), but also finds of the Piceno civilization (tombs, utensils) and prehistoric.

In modern and contemporary times we must remember the Risorgimento hero Nicola Laurantoni, who died in 1849 in an attempt to defend the Roman Republic, and the nazi-fascist massacre in contrada Montecantino that saw the killing in retaliation of twelve innocent people on June 18, 1944.

Massignano is still known for the art of working terracotta: until the last century there were in fact many workshops that dotted the village and its surroundings. Today the precious witness is a small museum under the civic tower, in Piazza Garibaldi.