Tagliacozzo
Discovering Tagliacozzo: the Abruzzo city between history and nature
Hello everyone! In this short article, I will take you on a journey to discover Tagliacozzo, a municipality in the province of L'Aquila in Abruzzo, with a population of 6403. The municipality of Marsica was elevated to the status of a city in Italy by a decree of the President of the Republic on August 18, 2000.
Physical geography
Territory
Tagliacozzo is located in the western part of Marsica, in an area called piani Palentini, not far from the borders between Abruzzo and Lazio. The town is located on the slopes of Mount Civita, at an altitude of 740 meters. Not far from the center of the town, there is the Marsia ski resort (Tagliacozzo), located along the Carseolani mountain range on the eastern slopes of Mount Midia (1737 meters), and the residential area of Piccola Svizzera along the road that leads to Cappadocia.
The Imele River runs through the municipal territory, which also includes the Imele Resurgence Geological Park.
Climate
Tagliacozzo is characterized by a Mediterranean climate, with cold winters and summers that can experience moderately hot periods. The minimum temperatures are quite low, and this is common to many Abruzzo mountain interior locations. The average annual air temperature is 10.8°C, with the coldest month being January, with an average of 2.5°C, and the warmest being August with 19.6°C. The highest temperature recorded in Tagliacozzo was 40.0°C, while the lowest was -27 in the town of Marsia.
The rainfall is about 970mm per year distributed over 102 days of precipitation. The rainiest season is autumn, followed by winter and spring, where snowfalls are frequent and sometimes abundant. The summer is not particularly dry, with almost 130mm of rain in 18 rainy days.
Origins of the name
There are several hypotheses regarding the origin of the name of the Abruzzo municipality. The most accredited one derives from two Latin terms: "Talus," and "Cotium," which means cutting in the rock. The village, in fact, developed on the slopes of Mount Civita, a peak separated by a fissure from Mount La Difesa.
History
Origins
The territory of Tagliacozzo was inhabited in ancient times by the Equi, placed on the northern border of the Marsi. There are historical references to a settlement in the contemporary locality of Altolaterra, whose origins date back to the 11th century. Before that, references were found in some imperial texts of the Carolingian era dating back to 964 and 998, referring to the Church and the Monastery of Saints Cosma and Damian, with the note "in Heloritu" (located in a Laurel forest). Before that, there were traces of settlements in caves, some dating back to the Neolithic and Bronze Age. The inhabited center would have developed around three parishes: San Nicola, Sant'Egidio, and San Pietro, on the upper part of Mount Aurunzo and Civita overlooking the contemporary city.
Visiting Tagliacozzo
Tagliacozzo, besides being a center of great historical importance, is also characterized by the beauty of its territory. The city boasts numerous natural beauties such as the Imele Resurgence Geological Park. Moreover, the ancient villages offer a unique experience, with the presence of important historical vestiges such as the Ducal Castle, now the City Hall, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, the Cathedral of San Giacomo, and numerous historical churches and palaces.
Do not miss the opportunity to taste typical products, among which the sausage of Tagliacozzo, the chickpeas of Villalago, and the Abruzzo pecorino cheese stand out.
Conclusion
Tagliacozzo is undoubtedly one of the pearls of Abruzzo, a city with a millenary history and an uncontaminated territory. If you love nature and history, do not miss the opportunity to visit this medieval town that can give you unique emotions. We are sure that you will appreciate every corner, from the beauty of the green hills to the historical treasures preserved in the churches and palaces of the old town.
