Isola del Gran Sasso d'Italia
Welcome to Isola del Gran Sasso d'Italia!
Hello everyone and welcome to Isola del Gran Sasso d'Italia! Are you ready to explore one of the most picturesque municipalities of the Teramo province in Abruzzo? Then get ready for a visit to the Siciliana valley, at the foot of the Gran Sasso d'Italia. Here you can admire untouched nature, a rich and diverse fauna, and dreamy landscapes.
Physical Geography
Territory
Our capital is located at the last exit of the A24 motorway, before the Gran Sasso tunnel, and is situated within the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park. Here you will find many animal species such as the wolf, chamois, red deer, golden eagle, royal owl, squirrel, wild boar and magpie. In addition, there is a section of the Great Gran Sasso Horseback Trail. The view extends over the entire southeastern part of Gran Sasso with the "Paretone" of Corno Grande, Monte Aquila (Gran Sasso), Monte Brancastello, Monte Prena and Monte Camicia.
Climate
Isola del Gran Sasso d'Italia has pleasant weather all year round! Based on the 1961-1990 reference thirty-year average, the average temperature of the coldest month, January, is +4.7°C; that of the hottest month, August, is +22.5°C.
Origin of the name
The historic center of the village is located on a debris cone at the confluence of the Ruzzo and Mavone rivers. Probably, the geographical location and the richness of the watercourses gave rise to the name of the village.
History
The history of Isola del Gran Sasso d'Italia has ancient roots! Here you can find traces of homes dating back to the Neolithic period. The first certain news concerning Isola with its proper name refers to the eleventh century when, in 1063, Adalberto donates to the Church of Sant'Anna dei Pompetti in Teramo the portion of his property of the "Castello de la Isola". In 1120, San Berardo di Teramo infeuda ‘Insula’ by Enrico and Matteo counts of Aprutium for the defense and protection of the cathedral church of Santa Maria di Teramo. In 1150 the castle of Isola di Penne was among the possessions of Oderisio Pagliara, a new feudal family of Pagliara, originating from Collepietro.
Around 1215, according to an unconfirmed tradition, St. Francis of Assisi arrived in Isola and founded a convent for his friars who remained there until the Napoleonic suppressions; today the Sanctuary of San Gabriele stands there. The Collepietro-Pagliara family ruled over the Siciliana valley until 1293, the year in which Tommasa, Countess of Manoppello, the last descendant of that lineage, died. After the death of Ugolino di Sully, his sister Maria married Napoleon Orsini in around 1336, bringing him fiefs and titles as dowry. The Orsinis held the fiefdom continuously until 1404. After a brief interruption, they regained dominion and maintained it until 1526.
In 1419, the "Statutes of the Agricultural University of Isola" were drafted, which, besides being the oldest ever found in the Teramo province, also have the value of being the only document written in the vernacular of the area.
Conclusions
Here is a brief overview of our beautiful city of Isola del Gran Sasso d'Italia. We hope you will be enchanted by the spell of our municipality. Come visit us for an exciting tour of our history, culture, and natural beauty. We are ready to welcome you with open arms!
