Corfinio

Discover Corfinio: a city with ancient roots

Hello friends! Today I'll talk to you about Corfinio, a municipality in the province of L'Aquila in Abruzzo, Italy. With its 978 inhabitants, it is part of the union of municipalities Terre dei Peligni.

Geography

The city is located in the beautiful Valle Peligna, just outside the gorges of Popoli. This area is surrounded by the Morrone Mountains, with the highest peak called Monte Rotondo. The Aterno river runs through the center of the city, also passing through the industrial area of Sant'Ippolito.

Corfinio: history and beauty among the Abruzzo mountains.

The name

The city's original name, given by the Romans, is "Corfinium". During the Social War, Corfinio became the capital of the Italic League and was renamed "Italica". After the Roman conquest in the 1st century BC, its name was changed to "Valva". In the 10th century AD, the village took the name "Pentima". In 1928, the original name of "Corfinio" was readopted.

Accessibility

There are several roads to get to Corfinio, including the A25 motorway (exit Pratola Peligna - Sulmona), the SS 479 Sannite, or the SS 17 of the Abruzzo and Apulian-Sannitic Apennines (exit for Corfinio). It is also possible to arrive from Sulmona through the SS 5 Via Tiburtina Valeria.

A city with ancient roots

The history of Corfinio is ancient and fascinating. It is known that the city was founded by the Peligni people in the 9th/10th century BC. In 308/302 BC, it became part of the IV Region of Rome, although it retained its autonomy. During the Social War against Rome, Corfinio became the capital of the Italic League and was temporarily renamed "Italica". It was here that the silver coin with the inscription "Italia" on the main face was coined.

The Middle Ages

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the old village of Corfinio was slowly rebuilt. In the 9th century, Corfinio began to take on a medieval planimetry. Over the centuries, it was the scene of various events, such as the looting by the Normans and the clashes between the Lombards and the Franks. In 1461, it became part of the Kingdom of Naples and subsequently of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

A place to visit

Corfinio is an enchanting city and has much to offer visitors. The Cathedral of San Pelino, with its Romanesque architecture, is definitely worth a visit. Here you can also admire the "Lapis Niger", an ancient artifact dating back to the 4th century BC. The city also hosts the National Archaeological Museum of Abruzzo, which preserves artifacts from the Iron Age to the Roman era. Finally, you can take a walk through the streets of the historic center, where you will find many artisan shops and shops selling typical products.

Conclusions

In summary, Corfinio is a city with ancient roots, rich in history and culture. Its natural beauty and artistic heritage make it a place to visit absolutely. I hope you enjoyed this little tour and have been curious enough to decide to visit Corfinio as soon as possible!

Simone Costa
Wrote by Simone Costa
Updated Wednesday, Apr 20, 2022