Fossa
Welcome to Fossa, a commune immersed in history
Hello everyone! Today I will talk about Fossa, a beautiful Abruzzo commune located in the Aterno valley, only 12 km from the city of L'Aquila. With its 691 inhabitants, Fossa is a small but fascinating place, rich in history and natural beauty.
Physical geography: a commune between mountains and gentle hills
Fossa is located at about 644 m above sea level and is surrounded by mountains and gentle hills. The town is characterized by the presence of a karst sinkhole, on the eastern slopes of Mount Circolo, which gave it its name. The commune consists of three hamlets: Le Chiuse, L'Osteria and Cerro, each with its own peculiarities.
History: from pre-Roman human traces to the latest earthquake
Fossa has a history that dates back to the pre-Roman era, with the first traces of human presence dating back to the Vestini, as evidenced by the remains of fortifications on Mount Cerro and the Necropolis of Fossa from the 9th century BC.
During the Roman era, the territory witnessed the development of Aveia, a city that became a Roman Prefecture and Municipality until the third Samnite war. Later, the territory was incorporated into Rome.
Floods and barbarian invasions led to the superimposition of the ancient Roman city with the new medieval village, which developed along the ridge of the karst sinkhole with a concentric settlement around the fortified enclosure.
The expansion of the village began at the end of the 13th century along the main road above the slope of the mountain. The town underwent numerous changes of ownership, from noble families such as Berardi, Fossa, Colonna and Barberini.
Fossa also suffered the effects of the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake, which caused damage, victims, and collapses.
Conclusions
Fossa is a commune steeped in history and is worth a visit. From the historic center, with its narrow streets and alleyways, to the karst sinkhole, to the surrounding hamlets, the town offers many natural and historical beauties to admire. Come and discover this small Abruzzo treasure!
