Ioanella

Some believe that the origins of the name Ioanella derive from the Latin ioaria or iuaria in reference to a small feudal holding within which a given judicial body had authority.

Several ancient documents refer to the area as Giovannel, Giovannella, Giovannello, Ioanello, Iuganello, Iuvanello, or Joanella.

Nearby San Giovanni a Scorzone received much benefit from the numerous vassal holdings in Ioanella.

In 1878 Italy passed a law (Legge Coppino) requiring free public education through the third grade.

Teachers for classes in Ioanella and Borgonovo were selected by the communal officials in the town of nearby Torricella Sicura.

A suitable location for this instruction could not be found in Ioanella and therefore these classes were established in the nearby villages of Piano Grande and Antanemuccio.

In 1888 the village classroom was transferred from Ioanella to Poggio Valle so that students from both of these localities, approximately equal in size, could be served together.