Offagna is a typical borgo of the Anconetan Marca situated on a slight hilly ridge which slopes gently towards the east in the direction of the coast. The ancient characteristic borgo boasts one of the most powerful stronghold of the entire region, that the Anconetans erected around 1454 to foil the expansionist aims of the rival Osimo.
The name of the township might come from the distinguished family of Afrani who, at the time of the Roman republic owned the estates called “Massa Afrana or Afraniana”, comprising a good part of the Offagna today.
The origins of the hamlet date back to 950, the year of the investiture of the so-named “Massa Afraniana” by the archbishop of Ravenna. In the IX century it was surrendered in feud by the same archbishop to the descendant of a Franco-Germanic family, following which the XII century saw it involved again in the bloody struggles between the cities of Osimo and Ancona whose territorial rivalries were always afire. This borgo's history remains long tied, between the XIII and XV centuries, to the bordering Osimo's , one of the most influential areas in the zone. It was only in 1445 that the township was ceded to Ancona on the wishes of Pope Eugene IV who so disposed that year.
From then on, its history followed the destiny of the Pontifical State's, to which it was entrusted and kept until the birth of the new Italian state which absorbed it with the rest of the Marche.
Every year in the last week of July Offagna sees the re-enactment of the historical “Contesa della Crescia”. In an environment typically Medieval the ancient festival revives. Its origins come from a XV century proclamation which ordered the inhabitants to “observe in perpetuity.....that at least once a year, each Castle.....hits the target with the crossbow for a prize....”.
Four teams of armed warriors belonging to the four districts of the town, (Torrione, St. Bernardino, Croce and St. Sacramento) challenge each other “in singular combat” using bow, crossbow, lance and spiked cudgel with the aim of snatching the desired Palio (crescia) which allows the winning district to hoist their standard on the Castle keep.
For a whole week, the town is transformed, the streets see the return of Medieval times; exhibitions, taverns, ancient markets and the fortune-telling street form the background to theatre shows, reviews and historical re-enactments.
Anyone who has already had the pleasure of these moments must once again stroll around the borgo dressed in period costume, cleverly reproduced by the Offagnese dressmakers, so becoming protagonist himself. Wallets are transformed into sacks containing “crescioli” the currency for Medieval festivals. The shop change their usual appearance, the signs become “cartigli” (scrolls), the shop windows are adorned in the style.

Monuments