It seems that the town's name comes from the Latin name "Marius" (probably the name of the centurion to whom these lands were assigned), with the addition of the suffix "-anus" indicating membership. Municipality in the province of Verona, located in Valpolicella, is famous for its production of fine wines, such as Amarone Recioto.
The area of Marano has been inhabited since prehistoric times: in fact, there have been found traces of a Paleoveneto civilization. It became settlement with the Arusnati and later was conquered by the Romans who left signs of their presence even in the name of the town. According to an ancient legend, the area belonged to Gaius Marius, the architect of a fortress built here to defend the territory from the attacks of the Cimbri. After the dissolution of the Empire, the Venetian lands were exposed to Barbarian invasions. In the XIII century the Lombards settled here and Federico Della Scala renovated the castle of Marano, which later was destroyed. In the early XV century, under the Venetian domain, the area, thanks to a period of relative tranquility, was enriched with several elegant villas built here as Summer residences of the wealthy merchants and the nobility of Venice.
Attractions:
- the Church of San Marco al Pozzo, already mentioned in the XIII century, but probably built in an earlier period. Over time it has undergone several renovations preserving, nevertheless, the original Romanesque style. It features a single nave plan, enriched with XIV century frescoes and a XVI century chapel with a XVI century altarpiece of the artist Meeves;
- the XVII century Church of Santa Maria in Valverde, features a simple façade . The building consists of three aisles with apses and houses a XVI century wooden statue of the Virgin and Child;
- the XIV century Church of Saints Fermo and Rustico in Valgatara features three aisles after the addition of the side ones in the second half of the XIX century;
- the XV century Church of St. George;
- the XV century Villa Guantieri, is adorned by several frescoes;
- the XIX century Villa Graziani was built on the project of the architect Barberi;
- the late XVIII century Villa Lorenzi built on a project of Trezza;
- the XIX century Villa Raisa Rimini;
- the XIX century Villa silvestri;
- the XIX century Villa Campagnola;
- the XVIII century Villa Porta Rizzini;
- the XVIII century Villa il Castello.