Petrella Liri
Petrella Liri: a small hamlet in the heart of Abruzzo
Petrella Liri is a small hamlet located in the Nerfa valley, at the foot of Mount Aurunzo, on the border between Abruzzo and Lazio. With its 116 inhabitants, it is a quiet and little-known place, but offers a unique charm thanks to its symbiosis with the rocks on which it is built. In this article, we will discover the history and geographical characteristics of this location.
Physical geography
Petrella Liri is located in the Nerfa valley, surrounded by nature. The presence of the large pine forest, planted in the early decades of the 20th century, gives the village a suggestive atmosphere. In the territory of Petrella Liri, there are also the famous caves of Beatrice Cenci, which attract many visitors every year. The village is about a kilometer and a half from the municipal capital of Cappadocia and is located near the sources of the Liri River.
Origin of the name
The peculiarity of the village is its proximity to the rocks on which it is built, from which its name probably derives. Like many other Italian localities called "Petrella," the name could derive from "petraeus," meaning "what grows on the rock," or from "small stone," which is "pretella" in the dialect of Marsica.
History
Petrella Liri has an ancient and interesting history. The first evidence of the territory dates back to excavations at the Cola cave, where prehistoric and ancient human and animal remains were found. According to some reconstructions, this cave could have been a sanctuary until the time of the Equi and Marsi, who inhabited the Nerfa valley before the arrival of the Romans.
The first historical documents that report the presence of Petrella Liri are some ecclesiastical papers. In 1051, for example, the church of San Pietro was purchased by Abbot Umberto di Subiaco. In addition, in the pontifical bull of 1188 by Pope Clement III, the churches of Sant'Angelo and San Giovanni are listed, while in the tithing register of the Diocese of Avezzano (14th century), the church of Sant'Angelo is mentioned with six grains of wheat as tribute.
One of the most famous events related to Petrella Liri concerns a noble of the village, Giovanni da Petrella, who appears in the 17th-century work entitled "Life of San Berardo dei Marsi" by Muzio Febonio. Giovanni was a brave and daring soldier who clashed with the Colonna family.
Conclusions
Petrella Liri is a small hidden gem in Abruzzo, a place where nature and history come together to create a unique and suggestive atmosphere. The location offers many points of interest, from the caves of Beatrice Cenci to the presence of ancient sanctuaries and churches. If you are looking for a quiet destination off the beaten tourist path, Petrella Liri is definitely the right choice for you.
