Postal code: 42018
Open-air market held on Saturdays
Feast of San Martino, Patron Saint of San Martino in Rio, 11 November
Outlying villages: Gazzata, Stiolo, and Trignano

Altitude: m 36

 

Inhabitants: 7,763 update Jannuary, 1 2009

 

How to get there: Distance from Reggio Emilia: 15 km. Distance from the exit of the A22 motor-way (Modena - Campogalliano): 8 km. When coming from Reggio Emilia, take National Road SS 468 travelling in the direction of Correggio. At Fazzano, take the Provincial Road (SP) and follow signs to San Martino in Rio. Public Service Transport

 

Tourist information: Town Hall 0522 636711

 

Useful links: All files of San Martino in Rio

  
.The territory of San Martino in Rio was covered by swampland and forests in ancient times. The earliest written records in which the town's patron saint, San Martino di Tours, and the castle are mentioned, date back to the first half of the 11th century. In 1115 the territory, which belonged to the Canossa family at the time, was given in fief to the noble Roberti da Tripoli family from Reggio, who ruled over it until 1430, when they were run out of the area by Nicolò d'Este. During the first half of the 16th century, San Martino in Rio was invaded by various armies. The resulting wars brought misery and the plague to the area. In 1768, after the extinction of the Duchy of Este, the territory was assigned first to Paolo d'Aragona and later to the French. San Martino in Rio was part of the Province of Modena from 1815 to 1859, and was one of the leading towns during the Italian Risorgimento movement. Currently, many manufacturers and artisans operate their businesses in San Martino in Rio.