Nereto
The city of Nereto
Hello everyone! Today I will talk about Nereto, an Italian town located in the heart of the Val Vibrata, in the province of Teramo, Abruzzo. The city is the seat of the union of the municipalities Città Territorio-Val Vibrata and has a population of 6,431 inhabitants.
Physical geography
Nereto is located on a small hill in the center of the Val Vibrata, just 8 km from the Adriatic Sea and 30 km from the mountain range of Gran Sasso d'Italia. It is well connected to the Marche region and its main cities such as Ascoli Piceno and San Benedetto del Tronto, only 10 km away. The city borders to the north with the municipality of Controguerra, east with Corropoli, south with Sant'Omero and west with Torano Nuovo.
Characteristics
The city has an area of 7.0 square kilometers and an altitude of 163 meters above sea level. Its minimum height is 81 meters while the maximum is 229 meters. The altimetric excursion is 148 meters.
Climate
Nereto is located in a climatic area of central Italy, where the entire regional territory of Abruzzo is located. According to the 1961-1990 reference thirty-year average, the coldest month is January with an average temperature of 6.1°C, while the hottest months, July and August, have an average of 23.2°C.
Origins of the name
The toponym Nereto comes from the Greek Νὴρος, which means low and humid place, or from the Dalmatian river Narenta or Narenta, or from Νηρίτος, which means wooded and pleasant place. Furthermore, the Latin toponym "Neretum" (Nardò) could be a remnant of the substrate and could reflect the base "nar/ner", which probably indicates "water", present in some Hydro names.
History
The origins of Nereto date back to the Neolithic era, when the first inhabitants were the Siculi, originally from Greece. During the Roman age, the inhabited center was located in the current district of San Martino and its name was "Vicus Gallianus". After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the ancient inhabited nucleus was destroyed and rebuilt further north, where the city of Nereto is located today.
From the origins to the XIII century
According to the Neretese historian Giuseppe De' Guidobaldi Speranza, Nereto belonged to Agro Truentino and its first inhabitants were the Siculi. During the Roman age, the inhabited center was located in the current district of San Martino and its name was "Vicus Gallianus". After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the ancient inhabited nucleus was destroyed, but rebuilt further north where the "Casale Nereti" was built. Subsequently, a large watchtower and a castle were built, which still dominates the city today. In the twelfth century, Nereto was recognized as a free municipality thanks to a privilege granted by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.
From the XIII to the XIX century
During the Kingdom of Naples, Nereto was part of the district of Ascoli Piceno. In 1860, with the unification of Italy, it became part of the Kingdom of Italy. During the Second World War, it was the scene of several battles between German and Allied troops.
The cultural heritage of Nereto
Today, Nereto is a city rich in cultural heritage, such as the Angioino Castle, the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the Church of Madonna di Loreto, the Town Hall, the Cavalluccio fountain and the Costume Museum. In addition, the city is known for the production of DOP "Colline Teramane" olive oil.
Conclusions
Nereto is a fascinating city rich in history, which is definitely worth a visit. Its geographical location, the beauty of the landscape, the mild climate and the cultural richness are just some of the reasons why you should visit this city. If you are in Abruzzo, do not miss the opportunity to discover Nereto!
