Savignano sul Rubicone

Emilia Romagna, Italy

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Savignano sul Rubicone is a town in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, located about 90 kilometers southeast of Bologna. It is historically significant for its association with the Rubicon River, famously crossed by Julius Caesar in 49 BC when he declared "alea iacta est" ("the die is cast"), an event that marked a turning point in Roman history. The town features the Roman bridge over the Rubicon, a well-known symbol of this historic moment, originally built from Istrian stone and rebuilt after being destroyed in World War II.

Savignano has a small historic center along the ancient Via Emilia and hosts cultural sites like the Abbey of San Giovanni in Compito and the Archaeological Museum of the Compito, which displays artifacts from the area’s Roman past. The town lies close to the Adriatic Sea, with a small seaside fraction, Savignano a Mare, and offers opportunities for water sports and outdoor activities. It is also known for the annual international photography festival (SI Fest) and local events celebrating its cultural heritage.

Vineyards and medieval sites, including the nearby Castle of Ribano, enrich the area’s landscape and history, making Savignano sul Rubicone a blend of significant historical, cultural, and natural attractions. Its present population is around 17,800 residents. The river now identified as the Rubicon was officially recognized in 1991 as the Fiumicino, which runs through the town.