San Giovanni Teatino

Welcome to San Giovanni Teatino!

Hello everyone, today we will talk about San Giovanni Teatino, an Italian municipality located in the province of Chieti, in Abruzzo. You will be surprised to know that the municipality takes its name from its patron saint, San Giovanni, and that the town hall is located in the fraction of Sambuceto.

Physical Geography

The territory of the municipality of San Giovanni Teatino is divided into a flat section, occupying the southern bank of the Val Pescara where the fraction of Sambuceto is located, and a hilly area to the southeast, called the coastal hill, where the village of San Giovanni alta is located. The municipality borders Pescara, Spoltore and Cepagatti to the west, and Chieti to the south and east. It also has a small enclave and exclave that includes the fraction of Fontechiaro da Capo. The hilly area reaches the maximum height of 213 meters above sea level and hosts the village of San Giovanni alta.

San Giovanni Teatino: history, geography, and natural beauty in Abruzzo.

Origins of the Name and History

Until the end of the 19th century, the town was called "Forcabobolina," from Forca meaning narrow valley or chasm and ''bos-bovis'', meaning ox. In the post-unitary period, the toponym was changed to San Giovanni Teatino, in reference to the patron saint of the town.

The village of San Giovanni was subject to the dependencies of Pescara and Chieti from the 11th to the 12th century. The first mention of the municipality dates back to 1095 when the castle of Forca and a forest of Sambucus were mentioned. Later, the municipality was donated by the Norman count Roberto I of Loritello to the bishop of Chieti Rainolfo who, in 1099, donated the castles of Furca and Villamagna to his two nephews.

Until the 20th century, the municipality was focused on the hill where the village of San Giovanni is located, while the development of the flat part in the Val Pescara, where the fraction of Sambuceto is located, was slowly being realized. Only starting from the post-World War II period, the fraction of Sambuceto began to expand, becoming the industrial and commercial hub of the Val Pescara.

Life in San Giovanni Teatino

The populous fraction of Sambuceto hosts most of the industries and shopping centers of the Val Pescara. Although San Giovanni Teatino follows the evolutionary dynamics of Pescara, the village of San Giovanni alta retains the beauty of ancient times, with its narrow streets and beautiful old buildings.

San Giovanni Teatino is also located near the border with Pescara, where a small part of the runway of Pescara airport is located. This makes it an ideal municipality for those who love to travel.

Furthermore, the area is characterized by a unique natural beauty. The coastal hill offers a breathtaking view of the Val Pescara, and nature lovers can take a walk along the nature trails present throughout the entire municipal territory.

Conclusion

In conclusion, San Giovanni Teatino is a charming and history-rich municipality located in Abruzzo, on the border with Pescara. The municipality has an interesting physical geography, where both a flat area occupied by the populous fraction of Sambuceto and a more hilly area with the village of San Giovanni alta are located. The natural beauty of the municipality and its strategic location make it an ideal place for a relaxing and adventurous vacation.

Elisa Lombardi
Updated Wednesday, Jun 1, 2022