Fara Filiorum Petri
Fara Filiorum Petri: a little gem in Abruzzo
Fara Filiorum Petri is an Italian municipality located in the province of Chieti, in Abruzzo. With its 1964 inhabitants, the village is situated in a strategic position, at the foot of the majestic Maiella mountain and a short distance from the sea. Its magnificent physical geography, characterized by hills, cultivated fields, and rivers that flow animatedly, are its hallmark.
Physical Geography
Territory
The town extends into the plain inside the Val di Foro. The heart of the historic center is located on a small and isolated hill, surrounded by the Foro, Vesola Sant'Angelo, and Vesola San Martino rivers. The three hamlets of the municipality have created the famous "Farchie", gigantic torches made of canes and weeping willow bonds, which are burned every year on January 16th in the square in front of the chapel of Sant'Antonio Abate.
Climate
Fara Filiorum Petri enjoys a Mediterranean temperate-hilly climate, with the mitigating influence of the sea and the coolness of the mountain. In January, the nights are very cold, often below zero. During winter, snowfalls and morning frosts are frequent, creating a surreal atmosphere in a place where nature is still uncontaminated.
Territory
The historic center of Fara Filiorum Petri is located at an altitude of 227 meters, but the hamlets of Colli and Piane reach 438m and 135m in altitude respectively. The town is crossed by three rivers: the Foro, the Vesola Sant'Angelo, and the Vesola San Martino, which flow into the hamlet of Giardino. In the hamlets of Piane and Madonna del Ponte, two artificially constructed lakes can be admired on the Foro river. Moreover, on the north ridge of the hamlet of Colli, calanchi can be observed, which are geological formations of clay with very sharp and barren edges.
Fara Filiorum Petri is located a few kilometers from the enchanting Adriatic coast, with famous seaside resorts such as Francavilla al Mare and Ortona, but also close to important ski resorts such as Bocca di Valle and Passo Lanciano.
The History of Fara Filiorum Petri
Fara Filiorum Petri is said to derive its name from the original Lombard toponym, "land of the sons of Peter". The community of the town was founded between the 6th and 8th centuries, in a climate of Lombard domination. Instead, the patronal festival of Sant'Antonio Abate was established in 1799, whose climax occurs in the evening of January 16th with the suggestive parade of the farchie and their lighting.
Art and Culture
The historic center of Fara Filiorum Petri preserves magnificent artistic and cultural treasures, starting from the church of Sant'Antonio Abate, where the ceremony of burning the farchie takes place. It is a baroque church from the late seventeenth century that preserves paintings, sacred furnishings, and a beautiful positive organ.
The parish of San Nicola von Guardia, on the other hand, dates back to the eighteenth century and hosts countless works of art. The church of San Romualdo Abate, located in the hamlet of Colli, houses paintings and frescoes of great value, while the church of Madonna delle Grazie in Colle Secco houses the statue of Madonna delle Grazie, a typical example of wood carving art.
Conclusions
Fara Filiorum Petri is undoubtedly one of the hidden gems of Abruzzo, a town that has been able to preserve its history, culture, and beauty of the surrounding nature intact. Those who visit it are enchanted by the suggestive ceremony of Sant'Antonio Abate, the artistic magnificence of its historic churches, and the beauty of its landscape. Without a doubt, it is an oasis of peace and tranquility in the frenzy of modern life.
