Maranello’s history goes a long way back in time.  

Archaeological finds offer proof of a past dating  at least from the Bronze Age (1800-1000 BC) but there are also many traces of much earlier times.  It is known for certain that the area was settled by a Ligurian people (Ligures Friniates), conquered by the Roman legions, who were gradually gaining control of Italy, between 189 and 179 BC.  

One reminder of the Roman occupation still remains in one of the main roads through the town, called the via Claudia: it was an ancient road, perhaps originating with the Etruscans, which offered an alternative to one section of the via Emilia and was rebuilt by the Consul Claudius, after whom it was named.    

The name Maranello very probably derives from the presence of a family from Marano (a neighbouring town), the Araldini or Arardini, who built the castle, still standing after the rebuilding that followed the earthquake in 1501. 

The castle and the houses around it are known as Maranello Vecchio. After varying fortunes, the manor was purchased in 1936 by Giuseppe Graziosi, the famous painter and sculptor, who lived and worked there.  The castle is currently privately owned. 

The via Giardini, the old Abetone Pass highway, which runs through the centre of the town, was built by Duke Francesco III to link the Duchy of Modena with the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and thus aid its economic and social development, during the ten years starting in 1766. Its route was complete with a series of post stations where horses could be changed, springs to supply water, hostelries and coaching inns for travellers, making it a real "motorway" of its time.                  

The road was designed and the works were directed by the engineer Pietro Giardini, who employed 3000 workmen on the project.  Delighted with the result, the Duke named the road after its builder. .

Maranello's recent history is closely linked to that of Ferrari, which has been based there for more than 50 years.   

Enzo Ferrari initially started to make cars at his Scuderia Ferrari workshop on Via Trento e Trieste in Modena. In 1943 the War forced Ferrari to move out of town.  He chose Maranello, where he already owned a farmhouse and a little land.

Ferrari’s bond with Maranello was further reinforced by the decision of company Chairman Luca Montezemolo (who received the keys of Maranello on 6^th December  2001) to name a car of incredible beauty after the town where Ferrari built all his road and racing cars: the result was the Ferrari 550 Maranello, which then evolved into the 575 Maranello.     

And the joint history continues, to the point where Maranello means Ferrari for people all over the world.