Civitaquana, Province of Pescara, Abruzzo

Civitaquana rises in the valley of the Pescara river, on a hill where a Roman and later Launguebard settlement were recorded. The oldest part is medieval, and follows a defensive architecture, with the houses side by side in a half-circle.

Info

Altitude: 550 m a.s.l
Distance from Pescara: 25 km
Population: ca. 1400 inhabitants
Postal code: 65010
Dialing Area Code: +39 085
How to reach it: by motorway, A25 exit Alanno-Scafa; by road, s.n. 602 from Pescara.

History

Historian Muzio Pansa says there were wide underground water collectors here in antiquity, and the name in the most ancient documents is recorded ad Civitaquana, Civitas Cana, Civitas Aquana. "Aquanus " means in latin "coming from the water, and may actually refer to the many acqueducts built in the area". Excavations have actually shown the presence of two large Roman "cisternae" below Colle Quinzio.

Archeological findings èpoint towards the existence in the area of an ancient Roman town, and there is a legend saying that this ancient town was called Altilia. In 883 it is mentioned in the Chronicon Casauriense as part of the diocesis of Pelle. In 1269 Civitaquana was granted as a feifdom by King Charles of Anjou to poet Sordello da Goito but he probably died immediately afterwards, since the king gave Civitaquana to Bonifacio di Galiberto. In 1458 king Ferrante d'Aragona granted the lordship to Laudadio De Lagmyniano, "Giustiziere" of Abruzzo, whose palace can still be seen in the main square. A Leognani descendant marriedthe sister of famous condottiere Ettore Fieramosca, and the surname of the wife was added to the family.

What to see

Abbey of Santa Maria delle Grazie, built over a Roman construction, of whisc some parts were re-used, it is now in three aisles, in the Romanesque style, and with a typical Lombard architecture. The inside, lit by sparce windows, is very austere. There is still a fresco with San Martino.
The Chapel devoted to San Rocco with a neoclasic façade.
The Palazzo Leognani-Fieramosca, a very fine example of Renaissance architecture, in red bricks and with two elegant "logge" on both sides
The Convento dei Carmelitani, outside Civitaquana
The church of Santa Maria Assunta, XII cent.

Events and Festivities

Mid January: Feast of St. Antony Abbot
31 august-2 September: Feast of Saint Egidio and Emidio.

Where to stay

Ristorante Cesarone - 1 ctr. Sterpara - 65010 Civitaquana Tel: +39 085 848278.

Genealogy and Links

To request certificates: Ufficio Anagrafe - Municipio - v.Porta a Monte 65010 Civitaquana (PE) tel: +39 085-848219/848540
Parrocchia Santa Maria, Civitaquana (PE)
Surnames recorded in Civitaquana
People researching in Civitaquana.

Map

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Provinces of Abruzzo

Chieti | L'Aquila | Pescara | Teramo

Surnames in the Provinces of Abruzzo

Chieti | L'Aquila | Pescara | Teramo

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