Pianella
Pianella: a hilly town in Abruzzo
Hello friends, today I will talk to you about Pianella, a town in the province of Pescara, in the beautiful Abruzzo region. With its 8501 inhabitants, Pianella is an ancient town surrounded by hills and crossed by the Nora river. The town is 20 km from Pescara and 7 km from Chieti. The town hall is located at about 236 meters above sea level, but the heights of the area vary from 100 to 280 meters above sea level.
The origin of the name of Pianella
Legends and popular stories say that the name of the town derives from a shoe lost by Queen Joanna's daughter during a journey in the kingdom with her mother. However, more reliable sources tell us that the name Pianella derives from the evolution of "Castrum Planellae", an ancient fortification dating back to 1500 in memory of lieutenant Cristiano Pellegrini. The name of the town was then modified over the centuries, passing through Plenina and Plenilia to become the current Pianella.
The history of Pianella
Pianella has an important history behind it, with the earliest evidence dating back to 953 AD, when the Principality of Capua decided to build the church of Santa Maria Maggiore on the remains of a Roman temple dedicated to the cult of the goddess Vesta. The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with Sabellian, Greek, Roman, and medieval artifacts found in the last two centuries. Over the centuries, Pianella has been victim to invasions and attacks. For example, in the 9th century, it was devastated by the Saracens, forcing the survivors to take refuge on the hill and fortify it. In the 10th century, the toponym "Castrum Planellae" appears for the first time in the county of Manoppello during the Norman domination. In 1078 or 1080, the Castle with its doors, walls and missing monastic church of Santo Stefano passed as a result of a private donation by Sansone di Adelberto to the Monastery of Montecassino. After passing under the dominion of Charles of Anjou, Pianella was governed by Corrado Acquaviva. The presence of many coins minted for the Crusades suggests that Pianella was an important stop for pilgrimages, friars, and merchants who journeyed towards Brindisi.
The beauty of the territory of Pianella
Located in a hilly area, Pianella boasts incredible beauty, surrounded by green hills and crossed by the Nora river. The town offers visitors a wide range of outdoor activities, such as trekking and cycling. But not only that, the territory of Pianella is rich in vineyards and olive groves, offering some of the best wine and extra-virgin olive oil productions in the region.
The culture and traditions of Pianella
Pianella is a town that offers a lot from a cultural point of view. Among the main attractions of the town, there are the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Castle, and numerous archaeological sites. Art lovers can visit the Civic Museum of Contemporary Art, which houses works by local and international artists. In addition, Pianella offers many culinary traditions, including the famous traditional Abruzzese food such as chitarra pasta, arrosticini, and bruschette.
We look forward to hosting you in Pianella!
We hope this brief overview of Pianella has been enjoyable and has made you want to visit this beautiful town in Abruzzo. Pianella is a place that offers many attractions, both from a cultural and natural point of view, making it a perfect destination for those seeking an unforgettable holiday. We look forward to hosting you in Pianella and showing you everything the town has to offer!
