Alfedena
| Alfedena | |
|---|---|
| Comune | |
| Comune di Alfedena | |
 | |
  Alfedena Location of Alfedena in Italy | |
| Coordinates: 41°44′14″N 14°2′22″E / 41.73722°N 14.03944°ECoordinates: 41°44′14″N 14°2′22″E / 41.73722°N 14.03944°E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Abruzzo |
| Province / Metropolitan city | L'Aquila (AQ) |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Massimo Scura |
| Area | |
| • Total | 40 km2 (20 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 914 m (2,999 ft) |
| Population (31.12.2013)[1] | |
| • Total | 848 |
| • Density | 21/km2 (55/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Alfedenesi |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
| Postal code | 67030 |
| Dialing code | 0864 |
| Patron saint | St. Peter Martyr |
| Saint day | April 29 |
| Website | Official website |
Alfedena is a comune in the province of L'Aquila of the Abruzzo region of central Italy. It is located in the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park in the upper Sangro valley, near the Monti della Meta mountain chain.
History
Alfedena was founded by the Samnites, who called it Aufidena, because of its excellent strategic view over the high Sangro valley. Alfedena was the setting of several conflicts through its history because of this location. Alfedena was a district of the Samnites before it was the capital town of the Carecini tribe during their first settlement near the high Saro, the ancient name of today’s Sangro river. Alfedena was then conquered by the Romans in 298 BC, and by the Lombards during the 11th century.
Main sights
Many works of art, such as the Ponte Achille (Achille’s bridge), dating back to the Roman age, were destroyed by the German armed forces during the defence of the Gustav Line, in World War II. The Germans took away, as spoils, many ruins of the Italic necropolis of Campo Consolino located next to the village, which counted 1400 tombs on a total amount of 12,000 tombs. Part of the stolen archeological finds were returned after an accurate restoration at the Tübingen University. The archaeological excavations bear witness to the ancient presence in the area and to its historically autonomous civilization.
Some ruins of Cyclopic walls can also be seen in the districts of Civitalta, Curino, and S. Nicola, with some columns and ruins of a temple brought to life by excavations. The village boasts an ancient tradition in the crafts of stone carving. The last craftsmen made the artistic paving of the town unique to its genre. In the historical center, people can admire the octagonal castle of the Simone’s feud, Count of Sangro.