San Martino sulla Marrucina
San Martino sulla Marrucina is an interesting town in the province of Chieti in Abruzzo, with a population of 831 inhabitants. The town has an interesting history that can be traced back through the origin of its name and the presence of many fascinating monuments and places of interest.
History
The name San Martino sulla Marrucina has an interesting origin that dates back to the 11th century. It comes from the union of the name of the patron saint of knights and the Marrucina, a pre-Roman road that winds just below the hill where the town is located. In the past, some Roman villas had been built on the municipal territory, while in the 10th-11th century the community was fortified and moved to the hill of the present-day historic center, inside a castle that was later destroyed over time.
In the 13th century, the fortified village began to develop below the castle, and in the 17th century it had reached its maximum expansion, with the monumental gate of "Porta da Piedi". From the 17th century, San Martino sulla Marrucina remained under the control of the Ortonese family of De Pizzis, who obtained the noble title of Marquises of San Martino, and then of the Tambelli of Vasto.
Traditional Crafts
San Martino sulla Marrucina is also famous for the characteristic figure of the "polveriere", who produced - inside caves dug in the sandy ground of the historic center and with secret access - pyric powder according to a recipe that remained secret. The polveriere was a craftsman and merchant who sold contraband powder, and many of them became master pyrotechnicians at the end of the 19th century.
Monuments and Places of Interest
San Martino sulla Marrucina is rich in monuments and places of interest. Here are the main ones.
Religious architectures
The church of San Cristinziano dates back to the 10th century and was the parish church of the ancient castle. It was extensively restored in the 19th century, then partly rebuilt after being damaged during World War II. The facade is made of exposed bricks and the portals in stone, the main one and the lateral ones, are the work of Felicetto Giuliante.
The church of Sant'Antonio Abate dates back to the 13th century and was enlarged in the 16th. It looks like a single nave building ending in a square apse, with a facade in sandstone, where there is an ogive architraved portal and a window with a stone ring.
The church of Madonna delle Grazie dates back to the 17th century and preserves inside a precious altar made of polychrome marbles from the 18th century.
Civic Monuments
The Tamburro Palace is a building dating back to the 16th century, now used as municipal offices.
The Porta da Piedi is the monumental door that represents the main entrance to the historic center.
In addition, the historic center of the town is characterized by a series of courtyards, stairs, porticos, and arches that make this place unique in its kind.
Traditions and Gastronomy
San Martino sulla Marrucina is considered the birthplace of the modern pasta guitar, thanks to the use of the "crovello", one of the tools produced in large numbers in the town in the 19th century.
Moreover, gastronomy is important, with a rich variety of traditional dishes such as "pasta alla mugnaia", "polpette alla marrucina", "timballo al forno", and "kebab all'abruzzese", just to name a few.
In conclusion, San Martino sulla Marrucina is a place to visit for its history, its monuments, and to immerse oneself in its food and wine culture. This municipality will surely conquer visitors with the beauty of the landscape and the warmth of its people.
