The municipality of Sanguinetto extends over a territory of about 13.64 square Kilometres. The local economy depends on farming and the work of the craftsmen who produce fine furniture renowned throughout Italy and also exported abroad. The towns name is curious. Various explanations have been put forward for its origin. The name could derive from the latin “Sanguinis”, “blood” with reference to cruel battles fought in this strategically important area. But it could be that the name derives from “sanguana”, a plant with red berries that once grew in this area.

The town of Sanguinetto dates back to roman times. Traces of a settlement from this period have been found . The most important development for the history of the town was in the early medieval period especially after the castle was built and the feudal rights were given to the nobilman Jacopo Verme. The castle is still the fulcrum of town life and is home to the offices of the town council and the town’s theatre where the competition is held. Over the course of time, there have been numerous illustrious visitors to the town; Napoleon Bonaparte, the emperor of Austria Francesco Giuseppe, Ippolito Pindemonte, Carlo Goldoni and Francesco Gonzaga. These lodged at the Castle.

The complex was founded in the XVII century by the minor Franciscan order. The structure of the church tower is original with the bell frame dating from the 17th to 18th centuries. Inside the church the ceiling of the choir is frescoed with an Angelo musicante a Madonna assunta in Cielo and two Putti reggenti un cartiglio. A beautiful cloister from the original convent still survives.

Variously called the “Chiesetta della Rotonda” or “Chiesetta del capo di sotto” because of its unusual circular form. It was built in 1747 on a site where an image was found on a stone of the Virgin Mary. The project was the work of the architect Alessandro Pompei, commissioned by Count Francesco Lion.

Lining the streets of the town centre are numerous palaces from the late 18th century testifying to the affluence of the town. Worthy of note are Palazzo Betti (which hosted the emperor Francesco Giuseppe and in 1863 Giuseppe Garibaldi) and Palazzo Taidelli. Along the road to Sustinenza one comes across the Rangona, a building dating back to the 16th Century.

Erected by the Scaligeri family, it was later given up to the Veronese nobleman Jacopo Dal Verme. In 1452 the fortification was confiscated from the descendants of Dal Verme and given to the captain of the Serenissima, Gentile Della Lionessa. The courtyard id constructed from a 15th century portico, surmounted by columns with the heraldic devise of the Dal Verme family. While the Major part of the Castle is the property of the Town council the ancient bastion is still privately owned.