Jenne
Jenne: a rural town halfway between Rome and the Aniene River
Hello! Today we are talking about Jenne, a small municipality of 361 inhabitants located in the metropolitan city of Rome Capital, in the Lazio region. Jenne is situated in the heart of the Aniene Valley mountain community, an area that has been cultivated by farmers and shepherds for a long time. In this summary, I will describe the history and geographical characteristics of Jenne to help you get to know this charming location better.
Physical geography
The territory of Jenne is crossed by the Aniene River and offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains. The rural nature of the town is reflected in many places around Jenne, such as the location of Fondi di Jenne. It is a large karst plateau located north of the urban center, which was extensively cultivated even at very high altitudes due to the south-facing exposure of Mount Pratiglio. Farmers and shepherds exploited this position to guarantee excellent crops and generous pastures.
The climate of Jenne is classified as zone E, with an average of 2788 GR/G.
Origin of the name
The origin of the name "Jenne" has not yet been precisely identified, but several sources suggest that it may derive from the word "Gehenna," meaning "the gates of hell." This interpretation could be confirmed by the name of the deep karstic caves that lie on the slopes of Mount Pratiglio, near the town. The first historical citation of Jenne dates back to a parchment made out by Pope Leo IX, which confers the toponym of "Fundus Gehenna" to the territorial Abbey of Subiaco and its dependencies.
History
The first document that cites Jenne is a donation deed that Pope Leo IX made of the town to the Benedictine monastery of Subiaco. In around 1079, Jenne was besieged by Normans and Lombards, but the invader Ildemondo was forced to surrender and abandon the town. In 1113, Jenne was the feud of a certain Crescenzio, a relative of Abbot Giovanni, while in 1300 it passed to Cardinal Caetani. In 1639, Pope Urban VIII granted Jenne "in perpetuity" to the Abbey. During the pontificate of Benedict IX, the town was part of the Sacred Congregation of Good Government of Rome.
Monuments and places of interest
Jenne offers numerous monuments and places of interest, such as the church of Sant'Andrea, the chapel of Santa Maria in Arce with 13th-century frescoes and a 16th-century Madonna terracotta. There are also several karst caves, and the surrounding area is perfect for excursions, trekking, and outdoor activities.
If you love nature and are looking for authentic places, Jenne is the right place for you! I hope this summary has encouraged you to visit this charming town halfway between Rome and the Aniene River.
