San Giacomo (Valle Castellana)
Encyclopedia
San Giacomo is a mountain village in the Province of Teramo
in the Abruzzo
region of Italy. It is a frazione
of the comune
of Valle Castellana
.
. The town takes its name from the presence of an ancient building, belonging to the monastery of San Giacomo, which once sat at a slightly lower elevation. This building served as a refuge for workers who once tilled the landholdings in the area that belonged to the church. One ridge in this area still carries the name Costa del prevosto (Ridge of the Provost) in reference to this fact.
. Prior to the formation of the united Italy in 1861, this land served at the point of demarcation between the Kingdom of Two Sicilies and the Vatican State.
One marker stone dated 1847 identifies a boundary, probably first delineated by Ruggiero II in the twelfth century, dividing the holdings of the leaders of Rome with those of the Neapolitans. The remains of several customs checkpoints have also been unearthed nearby. At one point they likely served to control the passage of contraband between these two rival states. These checkpoints in turn were likely built on the remains of a still older Catholic hermitage. German soldiers made use of this area in the latter part of World War II
as they fought their losing battles against the local Italian partisan forces.
This mountain area is particularly suited to excursionists who wish to hike the many mountain trails. Some wind down to Colle San Marco while others lead up to an area known as Montagna dei Fiori
.
e Prato Selva
. In addition to skiing, the village offers an assortment of other entertainment venues including hotels, bars, and restaurants. The base of the ski lifts is located at Monte Piselli, in the past well known for the cultivation of garden peas. On 2 September 1964 a cable car connecting San Giacomo with the ski lifts of Monte Piselli, was put into operation. It eventually reached the end of its useful service and was later dismantled. The trip is now typically made by car or bus.
in the Italian region of Puglia. The caciare not only served as shelter for the sheepherders but were also used to protect the young lambs and for the storage of the locally produced cheeses made from the sheep's milk.
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...
in the Abruzzo
Abruzzo
Abruzzo is a region in Italy, its western border lying less than due east of Rome. Abruzzo borders the region of Marche to the north, Lazio to the west and south-west, Molise to the south-east, and the Adriatic Sea to the east...
region of Italy. It is a 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...
of the comune
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:...
of Valle Castellana
Valle Castellana
Valle Castellana is a village and comune in the Province of Teramo, in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. It is a member of the Italian community of surrounding mountain villages, Monti della Laga...
.
Geography
San Giacomo lies at an altitude of 1105 m, within the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National ParkGran 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...
. The town takes its name from the presence of an ancient building, belonging to the monastery of San Giacomo, which once sat at a slightly lower elevation. This building served as a refuge for workers who once tilled the landholdings in the area that belonged to the church. One ridge in this area still carries the name Costa del prevosto (Ridge of the Provost) in reference to this fact.
Borders
San Giacomo is situated on the border of the Italian regions of Abruzzo and MarcheMarche
The population density in the region is below the national average. In 2008, it was 161.5 inhabitants per km2, compared to the national figure of 198.8. It is highest in the province of Ancona , and lowest in the province of Macerata...
. Prior to the formation of the united Italy in 1861, this land served at the point of demarcation between the Kingdom of Two Sicilies and the Vatican State.
One marker stone dated 1847 identifies a boundary, probably first delineated by Ruggiero II in the twelfth century, dividing the holdings of the leaders of Rome with those of the Neapolitans. The remains of several customs checkpoints have also been unearthed nearby. At one point they likely served to control the passage of contraband between these two rival states. These checkpoints in turn were likely built on the remains of a still older Catholic hermitage. German soldiers made use of this area in the latter part of 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...
as they fought their losing battles against the local Italian partisan forces.
This mountain area is particularly suited to excursionists who wish to hike the many mountain trails. Some wind down to Colle San Marco while others lead up to an area known as Montagna dei Fiori
Montagna dei Fiori
Montagna dei Fiori is a mountain group in the Abruzzo, central Italy, forming the Monti Gemelli massif, together with the Montagna di Campli...
.
Downhill Skiing
San Giacomo has one of the three recreational downhill skiing slopes in the Province of Teramo, the other two being Prati di TivoPrati di Tivo
Prati di Tivo is a frazione in the Province of Teramo in the Abruzzo region of Italy....
e Prato Selva
Prato Selva
Prato Selva is a frazione in the Province of Teramo in the Abruzzo region of Italy....
. In addition to skiing, the village offers an assortment of other entertainment venues including hotels, bars, and restaurants. The base of the ski lifts is located at Monte Piselli, in the past well known for the cultivation of garden peas. On 2 September 1964 a cable car connecting San Giacomo with the ski lifts of Monte Piselli, was put into operation. It eventually reached the end of its useful service and was later dismantled. The trip is now typically made by car or bus.
Cycling
- On 25 May 2002 the thirteenth stage of the Giro d'ItaliaGiro d'ItaliaThe Giro d'Italia , also simply known as The Giro, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in and around Italy. The Giro is one of the three Grand Tours , and is part of the UCI World Ranking calendar...
, won by the Mexican Julio Perez Cuapio, passed through this area. - On 19 March 2007 a portion of the 6th stage of the Tirreno–Adriatico bike race, won by Matteo BonoMatteo BonoMatteo Bono is an Italian road bicycle racer who rides for Lampre in the UCI ProTour. Bono turned professional in 2006 and he took up his first pro win at 2007 Tirreno–Adriatico by winning stage 6 and then in the 2007 Tour de Romandie he won stage 4 after being a breakaway with Fumiyuki Beppu and...
, took place in San Giacomo. - Several stages of the Trofeo dello Scalatore race have also been held in this location..
Pastures
The area surrounding San Giocaomo was once used primarily for sheep grazing. Three shelters, known as 'caciare' remain. They were built of stone without the addition of cement and are reminiscent of the famous trulliTrulli
Trulli may refer to:* The plural of trullo, a traditional Apulian stone dwelling with a conical roof* Formula One driver Jarno Trulli* Kart chassis named after Jarno Trulli...
in the Italian region of Puglia. The caciare not only served as shelter for the sheepherders but were also used to protect the young lambs and for the storage of the locally produced cheeses made from the sheep's milk.