Casalbordino
Discovering Casalbordino: its geography and beauty
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about a small but beautiful town in Abruzzo: Casalbordino, called Lù Cuasàlë in Abruzzese dialect. It is located in the province of Chieti and is the seat of the Miracoli union of municipalities. The beauty of this city, which also includes the Lido di Casalbordino, is largely due to its location: situated about 6 km from the Adriatic coast, on a hill delimited by the Osento and Sinello rivers, it offers a breathtaking view of the Costa dei Trabocchi, with the spectacular rocky coast of the Punta d'Erce (or Punta Aderci) Marine Nature Reserve, called "the little Normandy" in the area.
The history of Casalbordino
But it is not only its location that makes Casalbordino a charming city. Its history dates back to the Roman era, when the area was a connection point between Apulia, the Via Tiburtina Valeria and the Tratturo Adriatico. Traces of Frentani settlements (starting from the 11th century BC) can still be found along a series of tracts and paths. The archaeological area of Santini, in particular, shows economic and sacred importance from the 2nd century BC for the transhumant shepherds and villages in the vicinity.
But the history of Casalbordino also continues in the Middle Ages, when in 971 the Marquis Trasmondo built a monastery in which Abbot Giovanni settled: this is the Abbey of Santo Stefano in Rivomaris, intended to control the maritime territory together with the Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere and the Badia of San Vito in San Salvo. The importance and prestige of the monastery are offered by the same "Chronicle of Santo Stefano", compiled in the 12th century.
Between the 1300s and the 1400s, there were some waves of plague in some neighboring centers, but not in Casalbordino, protected by its dominant position on the track. In the 15th century, the town was then a fief of the D'Avalos, whose downfall dragged the village into a decline until abandonment. It is during this period that the town passed to the domain of the Di Capua family, and the ancient medieval structure was dismantled for the construction of noble and civil residences. In 1576, in the area of the present sanctuary, the miracle of the apparition of the Madonna to a farmer occurred after a hailstorm. Also in these years, the coasts of Casalbordino suffered the raids of the Ottomans, who destroyed the monastery of Santo Stefano, which suffered a decline until it almost completely disappeared.
But in the 19th century, there was an expansion of the medieval center that led to the rebirth of Casalbordino.
The legend of the name
But let's talk about the name of this beautiful city. It is said that the name dates back to a commander of that period, Roberto Bordinus, who led the garrison to defend the monastery. "Casal", that is, a small territory of houses that guarded the monastery, developed from an ancient tower and subsequently became the fortified center, a fief of the D'Avalos.
Conclusions
In short, Casalbordino is a city full of history and charm, immersed in spectacular nature. If you are on vacation in Abruzzo, you cannot miss a visit to this city. And if you love the sea, do not miss the Lido di Casalbordino, with its wide sandy beach and the Costa dei Trabocchi within reach. I am sure you will not regret it!
