Avezzano
History of the Mayors of Avezzano
Hello friends! Today I want to talk to you about a part of the history of Avezzano, the city where I live. Avezzano is located in the Abruzzo region, in the province of L'Aquila. It is surrounded by mountains and enchanting landscapes. But above all, it is a city that has a long and interesting history. In this text, I will talk about the mayors who have succeeded each other in the city, from the first administrations of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Naples to the end of the Kingdom of Italy.
Napoleonic Kingdom of Naples (1806-1816)
In this historical period, Avezzano was part of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Naples. The city's mayors were appointed by the sovereign and had the task of managing the city administration. From 1806 to 1816, six mayors succeeded each other: Luigi Spina, Gaspare Orlandi, Maurizio Orlandi, Ascanio Aloisi, Serafino Mattei, and again Maurizio Orlandi.
Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (1816-1861)
After the fall of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Naples, Avezzano passed to the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. In this period, mayors were elected by the city's decurionato. Between 1816 and 1861, the city was led by numerous mayors, including Gioacchino Colacicchi, Bartolomeo Aloisi, Aureliano Mattei, Loreto Orlandi, Angelo Di Virgilio, and many others. In total, there were 18 mayors in this historical period.
Kingdom of Italy (1861-1946)
After the unification of Italy in 1861, Avezzano became part of the Kingdom of Italy. In this historical period, Avezzano's mayors were appointed by the central government. The first appointed mayor of the Kingdom of Italy was Paris Mattei, who remained in office from 1861 to 1864. During these years, Avezzano experienced a phase of development and modernization. After Mattei, numerous other mayors appointed by the government succeeded him.
From the end of the 19th century, the appointment of mayors passed to the City Council. The first mayor to be elected by the City Council was Ferdinando Ruggieri. Among the other mayors elected by the City Council were Emanuele Lolli, Bartolomeo Giffi, Geremia Saturnini, and Nicola Gallese.
Conclusions
The history of the mayors of Avezzano tells much of the city's history and its development. From the Napoleonic Kingdom of Naples to the Kingdom of Italy, mayors have always had the responsibility of leading the city and managing its administration. The appointment of mayors has passed from a system of direct appointment by the sovereign, to election by the city's decurionato, up to election by the City Council. Today, the city is run by a mayor elected with the democratic system of elections, but the history of the mayors of Avezzano is still alive and rich in interesting stories.
