Tecchiena
Tecchiena: a hamlet that blends history and nature
Hello everyone! Today we are talking about Tecchiena, a geographical hamlet in the municipality of Alatri. The name is a bit curious and derives from the ancient term "techna", which means cunning, fraud, or ambush. This is because the area between the Reo, Radicino and Monticchio mountains, the historical core of the locality, was an ideal place to lay ambushes.
Territory
The hamlet is located about 5.80 kilometers from the city center of Alatri. The original nucleus is where the Grancia or Castle stands, but there are also other hamlets such as Osteria di Alatri or Tecchiena Osteria, Pignano, Laguccio, Mole Bisleti, Basciano, Polledrara, Montereo, Santa Colomba and Colletraiano in the area.
History
Tecchiena has an ancient history dating back to the 11th century, when some fortifications were built on the small Monticchio hill. The first mentions date back to 1122, when "Ticclena" is mentioned, and shortly thereafter a church dedicated to Saint Sylvester was built as the parish of the inhabited center. Tecchiena then entered into conflict with the neighboring Ferentino for possession of the area until 1245 when Pope Innocent IV deprived the Alatri municipality of any rights over what was left of the castle. The area then passed to the Certosini of Trisulti, who founded a real agricultural company. This was transformed into the current complex of the Grancia, which the monks managed until the early twentieth century.
The Tecchiena community enjoyed autonomy for a long time, with its own statutes, but without obtaining municipal dignity. It was merged with the municipality of Alatri with the abolition of feudalism. Today, part of the population is calling for municipal autonomy.
Sports
For sports enthusiasts, in Tecchiena you can play football and volleyball. A.S.D. Polisportiva Tecchiena plays in the male Promozione_(calcio) 2019-2020 championship, while A.S.D. Pallavolo Alatri is active in volleyball. In addition, there is also a sports hall for enthusiasts.
Conclusion
Tecchiena is a hamlet that has a lot to offer, from a historical, naturalistic and sporting point of view. The Grancia or Castle is a suggestive structure that encloses the history of the territory and its evolution over time. If you love sports, you can play football or volleyball and have fun in the sports hall. In short, if you are looking for a place to spend a day outside the city center, Tecchiena can be an interesting choice.
