Crognaleto
Encyclopedia
Crognaleto is a comune
and city of slightly less than two thousand people located in the Province of Teramo
, central Italy. Crognaleto sits at an altitude of 1105 meters and has it communal administrative offices in the frazione
(outlying area) of Nerito. The commune of Crognaleto sits on the slopes of the Monti della Laga
mountain range and extends across both the northern and the southern slopes of the Vomano
Valley. It lies within the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park
.
. Historically Crognaleto fell under the jurisdiction of the commune of Roseto. The town was first given communal status during in 1813, during the Napoleonic occupation of southern Italy. A number of previously-autonomous surrounding villages and hamlets were designated (outlying areas) of the Commune of Crognaleto.
. Many houses were constructed relatively recently in the 19th century. Nearby, in the areas of Colle and Combrello are more ancient 16th century dwellings. The houses in all three areas are constructed of local stone. Those in Colle are especially interesting in that the portals over many of the doors carry religious inscriptions and verses, often accompanied by Jesuit monograms. The local church, dedicated to saints Peter and Paul, has a sign of the cross floor plan and features painted and gilded wooden altars in Baroque
style.
show a peoples living in this location in the year 1297. It later was part of the Duchy of Atri
and a feudal holding of the Acquaviva family. Frattoli is known for its artisan sculptures in both wooden and stone. Sights include:
to L'Aquila
, Nerito is home to are the municipal offices of the commune of Crognaleto. The village is known for two annual festivals. One is the Fuoco di Natale (Christmas Bonfire) taking place from Christmas Eve to the morning of January 6 (the Epiphany celebration). The second is called Erede and takes place the last Thursday before Lent
. During the celebration feasts are held and newly-born first male children of families are honored.
Sights include the church of Saint Nicholas likely, dating back to the 14th century and rebuilt in 1774, and the "Quercia Mazzucche" - a huge oak tree 8 meters in circumference.
As happened to a good number of nearby mountain villages, Poggio Umbricchio lost a good portion of its population in the difficult economic period following World War II
. In recent years the village appears virtually deserted, especially during the cold winter months. These factors, along with the somewhat strange sounding name of the village, have led some people in the larger cities of Teramo and Pescara to the conclusion that Poggio Umbricchio has a somewhat magical quality and exists more in fantasy than in reality. In more recent years researched at the University of Teramo have studied more closely the history of this village and have initiated an oral history project amongst the dwindling numbers of village elders.
Sights include the church of Saint Mary Laurentana, with a doorway dating back to 1570.
Roseto, an ancient fortress now in ruins.
River. Several houses in the village contain grey sandstone portals with inscriptions indicating the owners were exempt from certain taxes and duties. Although the claim had not been verified, this would suggest that the village, in common with other nearby locations, paid allegiance to the Republic of Venice
, in opposition to Teramo, Penne and L'Aquila.
.
Comune
In Italy, the comune is the basic administrative division, and may be properly approximated in casual speech by the English word township or municipality.-Importance and function:...
and city of slightly less than two thousand people located in the Province of Teramo
Province of Teramo
The Province of Teramo is located in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Teramo. The province has an area of 1,948 km², a population of 296,063 , and is subdivided into 47 comunes , see Comunes of the Province of Teramo...
, central Italy. Crognaleto sits at an altitude of 1105 meters and has it communal administrative offices in the frazione
Frazione
A frazione , in Italy, is the name given in administrative law to a type of territorial subdivision of a comune; for other administrative divisions, see municipio, circoscrizione, quartiere...
(outlying area) of Nerito. The commune of Crognaleto sits on the slopes of the Monti della Laga
Monti della Laga
Monti della Laga is a mountain range in the central Apennines, Italy. Their ruggedness and inaccessibility makes them one of the lesser known areas of the Italian peninsula.-Geography:...
mountain range and extends across both the northern and the southern slopes of the Vomano
Vomano
The Vomano is a 76 km Italian river, which runs through Montorio al Vomano and Roseto degli Abruzzi in region of Abruzzo. It rises from Monte San Franco in Gran Sasso and enters the sea at Roseto degli Abruzzi....
Valley. It lies within the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park
Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park
The Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park is a natural park in Italy, which was established in 1991. It has an area of 2,014 square kilometres...
.
History
There is evidence of pre-Roman settlements in the area in and around Castagneto although the location was likely only very sparsely populated until the Middle AgesMiddle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
. Historically Crognaleto fell under the jurisdiction of the commune of Roseto. The town was first given communal status during in 1813, during the Napoleonic occupation of southern Italy. A number of previously-autonomous surrounding villages and hamlets were designated (outlying areas) of the Commune of Crognaleto.
Crognaleto
The communal capital of Crognaleto is well known in Abruzzo. Interesting sites and features include:- Chiesa di Santa Caterina - a 16th century church dedicated to Saint Catherine.
- Chiesa della Madonna della Tibia - a church constructed with funds donated by Bernardo Paolini from nearby AmatriceAmatriceAmatrice is a town and comune in the province of Rieti, in northern Lazio . The city is seat of the food-agricultural base of "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park".-History:...
. Bernardo had lost his way in the woods near Crognaleto and fell into a large crevice. His life had been a great risk but he escaped with only an injury to the tibia bone in his leg, hence the appellation given to this beloved church. In 1617, the church was reconstructed at a location very near the pre-existing structure. A house to shelter visiting pilgrims once stood next to the church but is now in ruins.
Aiello
It is home to the church of Santi Silvestro e Rocco, a century church expanded in the 17th century.Cervaro
It is home to the church of Saint Andrew, originally constructed in the 14th century having undergone several expansions and reconstructions since then. Best noted for its 18th century hand painted ceiling. Other sights include the Palazzo Forcina-Nardi di Cervaro, a 16th century palace, and the remains of ancient mills along a stream called the Zincano.Cesacacastina
The town sits at an elevation of 1150 meters and sports a view of the nearby peaks of the Gran SassoGran Sasso
Gran Sasso d'Italia is a mountain located in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. The Gran Sasso forms the centerpiece of the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park which was established in 1993 and holds the highest mountains in continental Italy south of the Alps and is part of the...
. Many houses were constructed relatively recently in the 19th century. Nearby, in the areas of Colle and Combrello are more ancient 16th century dwellings. The houses in all three areas are constructed of local stone. Those in Colle are especially interesting in that the portals over many of the doors carry religious inscriptions and verses, often accompanied by Jesuit monograms. The local church, dedicated to saints Peter and Paul, has a sign of the cross floor plan and features painted and gilded wooden altars in Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
style.
Frattoli
The village sits at an altitude of 1115 meters. Records from the Commune of AmatriceAmatrice
Amatrice is a town and comune in the province of Rieti, in northern Lazio . The city is seat of the food-agricultural base of "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park".-History:...
show a peoples living in this location in the year 1297. It later was part of the Duchy of Atri
Atri, Italy
Atri is a comune in the Province of Teramo in the Abruzzo region of Italy. It has a population of over 11,500...
and a feudal holding of the Acquaviva family. Frattoli is known for its artisan sculptures in both wooden and stone. Sights include:
- Church of Saint John the Baptist, designed in Gothic style and containing a 17th century portico.
- Church of the Madonna of Assistance, now in ruins.
- Church of Saint Anthony (restored in the 19th century).
Nerito
Sitting at an elevation of about 850 meters along the state highway leading from TeramoTeramo
Teramo is a city and comune in the central Italian region of Abruzzo, the capital of the province of Teramo.The city, from Rome, is situated between the highest mountains of the Apennines and the Adriatic coast...
to L'Aquila
L'Aquila
L'Aquila is a city and comune in central Italy, both the capital city of the Abruzzo region and of the Province of L'Aquila. , it has a population of 73,150 inhabitants, but has a daily presence in the territory of 100,000 people for study, tertiary activities, jobs and tourism...
, Nerito is home to are the municipal offices of the commune of Crognaleto. The village is known for two annual festivals. One is the Fuoco di Natale (Christmas Bonfire) taking place from Christmas Eve to the morning of January 6 (the Epiphany celebration). The second is called Erede and takes place the last Thursday before Lent
Lent
In the Christian tradition, Lent is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer – through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial – for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and...
. During the celebration feasts are held and newly-born first male children of families are honored.
Piano Vomano
The village sits at an altitude of 850 meters and contains structures dating back to the 13th century. The center of Piano Vomano likely owes its shaped to the abandonment in the 16th century of nearby villages in Campanea and Colle del Vento, themselves sites of pre-existing Roman outposts.Sights include the church of Saint Nicholas likely, dating back to the 14th century and rebuilt in 1774, and the "Quercia Mazzucche" - a huge oak tree 8 meters in circumference.
Poggio Umbricchio
The village sits midway up a mountain slope at an altitude of about 700 meters. It borders the frazioni of Santa Croce e Altavilla. Ancient Roman ruins have been found nearby. In times past Poggio Umbricchio was part of the Acquaviva and other family's feudal holdings. It was an independent commune in the Napoleonic period.As happened to a good number of nearby mountain villages, Poggio Umbricchio lost a good portion of its population in the difficult economic period following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In recent years the village appears virtually deserted, especially during the cold winter months. These factors, along with the somewhat strange sounding name of the village, have led some people in the larger cities of Teramo and Pescara to the conclusion that Poggio Umbricchio has a somewhat magical quality and exists more in fantasy than in reality. In more recent years researched at the University of Teramo have studied more closely the history of this village and have initiated an oral history project amongst the dwindling numbers of village elders.
Sights include the church of Saint Mary Laurentana, with a doorway dating back to 1570.
San Giorgio
The village sits at a level of 1150 meters and built in three levels. Sights include the church Saint George and the RoccaRocca (architecture)
Rocca is an Italian term meaning a high, fortifiable stronghold, usually located in smaller towns, beneath or on which the village or town clustered, within which its inhabitants might take refuge at times of trouble; under its owners' patronage the settlement might hope to find prosperity in...
Roseto, an ancient fortress now in ruins.
Senarica
The village can be found at an altitude of 650 meters along the SS 80 (state highway 80). It stands on a high peak overlooking the source of the VomanoVomano
The Vomano is a 76 km Italian river, which runs through Montorio al Vomano and Roseto degli Abruzzi in region of Abruzzo. It rises from Monte San Franco in Gran Sasso and enters the sea at Roseto degli Abruzzi....
River. Several houses in the village contain grey sandstone portals with inscriptions indicating the owners were exempt from certain taxes and duties. Although the claim had not been verified, this would suggest that the village, in common with other nearby locations, paid allegiance to the Republic of Venice
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
, in opposition to Teramo, Penne and L'Aquila.
Tottea
Tottea is known for the sandstone rock formation on which it was originally constructed. The village is the home of many stonemasons skilled in using this local material to construct decorative sculptures and architecturally important masterpieces. Specialties include fireplace mantels and other ornamental door frames. Displays featuring prototypes and documents related to these works are housed in the local village administrative offices. Stonemasonry classes and local competitive expositions are from time to time. These works by the local artisans have left a valuable and ever-growing patrimony attesting to the skilled workmanship of the many skilled stonemasons who have called Tottea their home. In the area surrounding Tottea can be found several workshops specializing in the manufacture, restoration, and repair of small works of art made from stone. Tottea and its skilled craftsmen are known throughout the world for these exquisite works of art. The Chapel of Saint Anthony houses a statue dated 1552.Traditional lay and religious feasts and festivals
- Fuoco di Natale - held in Nerito. 10-20 metric tons of wood are lit ablaze on the 24th of December and allowed to burn through the Epiphany morning (6 January).
- Fiera della Pastorizia - pastoral fair held in the beginning of the summer in San Giorgio.
Gastronomy
Ventricina is a type of mildly spicy sausage made the area in and around Crognaleto. Ground pork is mixed with prosciutto crudo and other spices which typically include salt and pepper, bell peppers, peperoncini (dried hot peppers), garlic and rosemary. Fennel seeds and orange rind are sometimes added to this mixture which is then encased in the pig’s intestines or stomach before aging. Ventricina is often spread on bread and is sometimes placed on the grill or in the oven to make a form of bruschettaBruschetta
Bruschetta is an antipasto from Italy whose origin dates to at least the 15th century. It consists of roasted bread rubbed with garlic and topped with extra-virgin olive oil, salt and pepper...
.
External links
Sources
- Giulio Di Nicola, Crognaleto, in La Gazzetta di Teramo, 7 settembre 1975, p. 1.
- Tottea, visioni d'epoca, Pro Loco di Tottea, Ricerche & Redazioni, Teramo, 2006.