Magliano de' Marsi
Welcome to Magliano de' Marsi!
Hello everyone! Today we're talking about Magliano de' Marsi, a municipality in Abruzzo, Italy. With its 3,499 inhabitants, Magliano de' Marsi is situated at the foot of the Sirente-Velino mountain range and surrounded by a splendid landscape characterized by the valleys of the Imele and Salto rivers.
Physical geography
The territory of Magliano de' Marsi is located in the area of the Palentini Plains, in the center of Marsica, bordering Cappelle dei Marsi to the south, Scurcola Marsicana to the west, Massa d'Albe to the east, and Borgorose and the Aquila territory to the north. Mount Velino dominates the landscape, and the Monte Velino nature reserve is a popular tourist attraction. The Bocca di Teve is a gorge located within the Velino mountain group, at the beginning of the Teve Valley, the boundary between Abruzzo and Lazio.
Origins of the name
Although the origin of the name Magliano has not been established with certainty, it has been suggested that it derives from the presence of workshops that worked iron and built weapons in Roman times. This hypothesis was put forward by the historian Muzio Febonio, author of the work Historiae Marsorum, who wrote: "Today this can still be seen on the coat of arms; in fact, two semi-naked blacksmiths are reproduced there in the act of bending over the anvil, with the hammer, a red-hot iron, for the impression of one of those seals with which public documents are marked."
History
Magliano de' Marsi has a millennial history, dating back to the Roman Empire. During the Middle Ages, the city was included in the county of Albe together with the Incastellamento of Carcerem in Marsi and Podio Sancti Blasii. In the fifteenth century, the Church of Santa Lucia was founded on the hill of Santa Lucia, becoming an important point within the fortified city. In 1528, Magliano was the scene of a clash between the Colonna and the Orsini for the domination of Marsica. In the eighteenth century, it was severely damaged by the earthquake of Aquila but recovered soon thanks to the influence of the Colonna and the birth of a mercantile class. During the Risorgimento, the city declared itself in favor of annexation to Italy, suffering occupation by the Bourbon troops of the Two Sicilies.
In the twentieth century, Magliano de' Marsi was hit by two earthquakes that caused considerable damage: the one in 1915, which razed almost the entire old town, and the one in 1984, with the epicenter in Rosciolo dei Marsi.
Tourist attractions
Magliano de' Marsi offers many tourist attractions, being located in the heart of the mountains and offering a wide choice of outdoor activities. The Monte Velino nature reserve, for example, is a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers, with many species of flora and fauna. The Church of Santa Lucia, with its Gothic architecture and splendid bell tower, is one of the main historical attractions of the city. In the historic center of the city, there are also numerous craft shops, which sell local products such as embroidery, ceramics, wooden objects, and food products.
Local events
Magliano de' Marsi is also famous for the events that take place throughout the year. Among these, there is the feast of Santa Lucia, which takes place on December 13th and includes the procession of the saint's statue through the streets of the town and fireworks. The Carnevale dei Marsi is another important event, characterized by parades of allegorical floats and masks.
Conclusions
In short, Magliano de' Marsi is a lovely and enjoyable place to visit if you love nature and history. The beautiful mountainous location, the presence of tourist attractions, and the variety of local events will guarantee you an unforgettable vacation. Don't miss the opportunity to visit this splendid municipality!
