Basciano
Basciano: The town in the province of Teramo
Hi everyone, today I would like to talk to you about Basciano, a town in Abruzzo located in the province of Teramo. Around 800 people live here, and it is part of the Colline del Medio Vomano union of municipalities.
But do you know how the town got its name? Let's find out together.
Origins of the name Basciano
The toponym "Bassianus" was first recorded in the 8th century as "in Bassiano", derived from the Roman personal name "Bass(i)us". And that's how the name of the town was explained.
History of the town
The old center of Basciano was built around the 13th century, under the patronage of San Flaviano. The town was owned by Oderisio di Collepietro, and then by the Orsini and the county of Bellante. In the 16th century, it became the property of the Acquaviva family of Atri.
The first historical record of Basciano dates back to 787, when Charlemagne gave the town to the Monastery of Montecassino. Around the year 1000, the town, already called "Bassiano", was owned by the Abruzzo bishop Pietro. In the 13th century, Basciano passed to the Acquaviva family and was incorporated into the Barony of Atri. In 1800, during the French occupation, the town was the scene of fighting and violence.
But let's talk about Basciano's symbol. The coat of arms shows a bearded and armed character, depicted standing and in profile, with orientalized clothing. Behind him, in the upper right, there is a heraldic crescent placed in band.
Legends of Basciano
The symbol of Basciano falls within the heraldic typology common in the Renaissance period, called "Arma parlante". Here, the name of the town is exemplified and explained by the representation that appears on its coat of arms. The figure represents a Saracen, interpreted so far as evidence of the infiltration of bands of infidels in the Val Vomano. But currently, there is no historical or archaeological evidence of the presence of Arabs in Basciano. The toponym Basciano has been interpreted over time as a transformation of the Arabic word "Pascià", or the Latin term "Bascianii" which referred to the name of the hostages captured during the Moorish raids.
This interpretation is also taken up in our days. According to an ancient tradition, when the Normans, around the year 1000, expelled the Saracens from southern Italy, they took many children prisoner, sons of the defeated Pascià, who were called Bascianii. Trained in arms, they were added to the Christian army in which they were able to distinguish themselves, obtaining honors and immovable titles.
Conclusions on Basciano
In conclusion, Basciano is a small town in Abruzzo with an interesting history and whose name seems to still be shrouded in mystery. But what really matters are the people who live there, the beauty of the hills that surround it, the abundance of typical Abruzzo products to taste, and last but not least, the kindness of the inhabitants. If you pass through this area, stop and discover this hidden treasure of Abruzzo.
