Alfedena facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alfedena
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| Comune di Alfedena | |
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| Country | Italy |
| Region | Abruzzo |
| Province | L'Aquila (AQ) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 40 km2 (20 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 914 m (2,999 ft) |
| Population
(30 April 2017)
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| • Total | 880 |
| • Density | 22.0/km2 (57/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Alfedenesi |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code |
67030
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| Dialing code | 0864 |
| Patron saint | St. Peter Martyr |
| Saint day | April 29 |
Alfedena is a small town, called a comune, in central Italy. It's located in the Abruzzo region, within the province of L'Aquila. This charming place is nestled in the beautiful Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, near the Monti della Meta mountains and the Sangro river valley.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Alfedena has a very long and interesting history! It was first settled by an ancient group called the Samnites. They named it Aufidena. This name came from its amazing view over the high Sangro valley. The town was built on two hills, both very high up. This made Alfedena a very important place for battles throughout history.
Early Settlements and Tribes
Before the Romans, Alfedena was a key area for the Samnites. It even became the main town for the Caraceni tribe. They settled near the high Saro, which is what the Sangro river was called long ago.
Conquered by Empires
Because of its important location, Alfedena was often fought over. The powerful Romans conquered it in 298 BC. Later, in the 11th century, another group called the Lombards took control.
What to See in Alfedena
Alfedena has many interesting historical sites. Sadly, some old artworks and structures were damaged during World War II. For example, the ancient Roman bridge called Ponte Achille (Achille's Bridge) was destroyed.
Ancient Discoveries
Below the village, there's an ancient burial ground called the Italic necropolis of Campo Consolino. Archeologists found 1,400 tombs here! These tombs are from the late Iron Age, dating from the 7th to the 4th century BC. They show how people lived and were buried long ago. Some items found here were taken away during the war but later returned after being carefully restored.
Old Walls and Crafts
You can still see parts of very old walls in areas like Civitalta and S. Nicola. These walls are built with huge, oddly shaped stones, sometimes called "cyclopean" masonry. There are also ruins of columns and a temple that have been found. Alfedena is also famous for its stone carving. Local artists used to create unique stone pavements for the town.
The Old Castle
In the historical center of Alfedena, you can admire the remains of an old octagonal (eight-sided) castle. This castle once belonged to the Simone family, who were Counts of Sangro.
See also
- Monte Meta
See also
- Museo civico aufidenate Antonio De Nino
