Civitella Roveto

Greetings and introduction

Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about Civitella Roveto, a municipality located in Abruzzo, Italy. Are you ready to discover its history and beauty?

Physical geography

Civitella Roveto is located in the center of the Roveto Valley and, thanks to its position, is surrounded by the Cantari mountains, with Mount Viglio dominating the territory (2156 meters). The original nucleus of the city developed on the western side of the Liri, while the modern one is located on the eastern side, built after the Marsica earthquake of 1915.

Discover Civitella Roveto: history, nature and art in Abruzzo.

History

According to some scholars, Civitella Roveto would have arisen in the area of Fresilia, an ancient Marsi city that other researchers have instead located in Opi. Roman relics have been found that demonstrate that the territory was inhabited already in those times. The city was first mentioned in a document from 1061 with the name Civitella, but before then it was known as Petrarolo. In the seventeenth century, it took on the name Civitella della Valle, and then became Civitella Roveto al Centro. In the Middle Ages, Civitella Roveto was part of the county of Albe and later belonged to the Colonna of the Duchy of Tagliacozzo. During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the city experienced the sad experience of emigration, culminating in the Monongah disaster, a mining accident in the United States in 1907, where numerous miners from Civitella Roveto lost their lives.

Enrico Mattei and ENI

An important name in the history of Civitella Roveto is that of Enrico Mattei, the founder of ENI. Thanks to his influence, several residents of Civitella Roveto were hired by the public entity. It was during this period that the Rovetan village underwent great changes.

Monuments and places of interest

Now let's come to the places of interest in Civitella Roveto. Among the religious buildings, we find the Church of San Giovanni Battista, which dates back to the eleventh century and was rebuilt in 1595. Inside, we find a bronze portal by Pasquale Di Fabio and some valuable frescoes and paintings. The Church of Our Lady of Grace, on the other hand, is a modern construction from the 20th century. Finally, the Church of Santa Lucia, severely damaged by the Marsica earthquake of 1915, was demolished and then rebuilt.

Conclusions

Civitella Roveto is a city rich in history and culture, with a position that allows you to enjoy a breathtaking landscape. If you love history, art, and nature, you cannot miss a visit to this charming Abruzzese municipality. Thank you for following me on this small journey through the beauties of Civitella Roveto!

Simone Costa
Wrote by Simone Costa
Updated Friday, Dec 2, 2022