Cese
Cese, the hamlet of Avezzano
Cese, better known as Cese dei Marsi, is a hamlet of the municipality of Avezzano, located in Abruzzo. With a population of about 588 inhabitants, Cese is located on the eastern edge of the Palentini plains, at the foot of Mount Cimarani. In this article, we will explore the physical geography of Cese, the origins of its name, and its history.
Physical geography
Territory
Cese is located north of Mount San Felice, and the Ráfiatorrent flows in the lower part of the village. It borders Cappelle dei Marsi to the north, Capistrello to the south, Corcumello to the west, and Avezzano to the east. The village is about 3 km from the municipal capital.
Territory
Cese is located north of Mount San Felice, and the Ráfiatorrent flows in the lower part of the village. It borders Cappelle dei Marsi to the north, Capistrello to the south, Corcumello to the west, and Avezzano to the east. The village is about 3 km from the municipal capital.
Origins of the name
The name of the village comes from the Latin word "caedere," which means "to cut." According to legend, Emperor Claudius ordered the cutting of trees in this place, necessary for the construction of the Claudian aqueducts between 41 and 52 AD. These works allowed the first draining of Lake Fucino and the subsequent reclamation of the Marsican area. In ancient times, the territory of Cese was one of the Romans' favorite hunting grounds.
History
The first historical document about Cese dates back to the "Chronica sacri monasterii casinensis" by Leone Marsicano, in which it is reported that in 774, the Lombard King Ildebrando granted the lands between Paterno (Avezzano) and the "Gualdo Cesano" to the Benedictine monks. The village developed around the year 1000, thanks to the first constructions of shepherds and farmers around the Benedictine monastery. Following the Battle of Tagliacozzo in 1268, Cese was retaliated against by Charles I of Anjou with the looting of his army. The village was rebuilt around the old Benedictine church of Santa Maria.
In conclusion, Cese dei Marsi is a beautiful and ancient Abruzzo village, with a long history intertwined with that of Emperor Claudius and the Benedictine monks. If you have the opportunity to visit this area, I recommend taking a walk through the alleys of Cese and learning about its history, as well as admiring the beauty of the surrounding nature.
