Aielli
Discovering Aielli: the Abruzzo mountain municipality
Welcome to Aielli, a mountain municipality located in the province of L'Aquila in Abruzzo, with a population of approximately 1422 inhabitants. In this text, we will take you on a discovery of this fascinating municipality, with a brief description of its physical geography, the origins of its name, and the historical events that have made it what it is today.
Physical Geography
Territory
The municipality of Aielli is composed of two main villages: Aielli Alto and Aielli Stazione, rebuilt near the train station after the Marsica earthquake of 1915. The old village of Aielli is located over a thousand meters above sea level and is one of the highest centers in Marsica. It is located north of the former Fucino riverbed and is surrounded to the north by the Sirente-Velino mountain range, which separates the village from the Subequana valley and the Rocche plateau. Its mountainous territory is located at the beginning of the Giovenco valley and is included in the protected area of the Sirente-Velino regional natural park.
The ancient village rests on a limestone rocky spur and is surrounded by two streams that converge both into the Fucino basin. Its dominant and strategic position made it a particularly suitable place for defending the territory and observing communication routes during Roman and Medieval times. The municipal territory also includes the mouth of the Celano gorges, a gorge carved by the Rio La Foce that penetrates beyond the Arano valley of Ovindoli between the mountainous reliefs of Sirente and Mount Tino.
Climate and Territory
The territory of Aielli is sheltered from the north-northeast and northwest by a chain of mountains that makes the winter climate less harsh than surrounding areas at the same altitude, but still subject to cold eastern winds, especially in the winter months. Stratigraphy reveals that the soil is predominantly calcareous, but in some mountainous areas, gypsum crystals, bitumen, and high amounts of calcified marine fossils and shells can be found.
Origins of the Name
There is no certainty about the origin of the toponym Aielli. The main etymological hypothesis indicates that the name of the village derives from the Latin terms "Ag-ellum" or "Agellus" (small field or farm), the diminutive of "Agr-um" or "Ager" (field). Alternatively, the linguistic root of the Italic languages "ak-" filtered by the Latin language would have led to the form "agell" to indicate a rocky bastion. Its inhabitants, as attested by a Latin inscription found near the archaeological site of Marruvio, were called "agellani."
History
The first inhabited nucleus of the Aielli territory was located higher than contemporary urban centers, on a hill near Mount Costa Pelara. The first mention of the "Casale di Agello" dates back to 814 as a possession of the Santa Maria di Acuziano monastery, known as the Farfa Abbey. The document is reported in the "Regesto Farfense," a collection of documents created by Gregorio da Catino, and indicates a nun named Elena as the owner of the village, who had previously donated it to the monastery and reobtained it as a possession.
In the following years, Aielli passed under the dominion of various noble families and for a short period was governed by the Normans until its incorporation into the Kingdom of Naples in 1283. During the Angevin period, the municipality of Aielli became the seat of an important feudal lordship, under the rule of the De Sterlich family. The lordship was abolished at the end of the 18th century with the arrival of the French, but the village continued to play an important role in the region.
During World War II, Aielli suffered extensive damage following the conflict, but today has returned to being a vital and thriving center of the Abruzzo region.
Conclusions
In summary, Aielli is an Abruzzo mountain municipality with a rich and interesting history. Its geographical position makes it a unique and fascinating place, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Sirente-Velino mountain range. Despite its small size, the village has played an important role in the region's history, with a past linked to feudal nobility and the defense of the territory in Roman and Medieval times. Today, Aielli is an ideal destination for nature lovers who want to enjoy the beauty of Abruzzo's mountain landscapes.
