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Alfedena | Print |
Population: 750

Elevation: 900 meters

Founded by the ancient Samnites for its splendid, strategic position that controls the access to the vast plain of the high valley of Sangro, Alfedena (known as Aufidenia to the Samnites), has always been at the center of quarrels on account of its priviledged position. In 298 it was conquered by the Romans, followed by the Lombards around the year 1000. Later, after alternate events of the middle ages, it became in 1652 the fiefdom of Caracciolo.
Many valuable works like the Bridge of Achilles of the Roman era were destroyed from the German mines during the retreat of the defensive line of Gustav in World War II.
The Germans carried away, as war plunder, countless remains of the immense Italic necropolis of Campo Consolino, in the outskirts of the town, including 1,400 tombs out of a total of perhaps 12,000.
Part of the stolen remains were returned after an accurate restoration on the part of the German university of Tubingen.
The excavations, still in act, bear testimony to the presence in the area of an autonomous civilization after the Roman conquest and it does understand that Alfedena, the ancient district of the superior Samnites, would have been the capital of the Carecini (another tribal people related to the Samnites), of their first allocation of the high Saro, which is the ancient name of the river Sangro.
A few remains of huge walls can be observed in the Civitalta area of the town, as well as in Curino and San Nicola with a few hills, temples for sacrifices prone to the light of a few excavations. The town lacks stone workers in the ancient tradition that unfortunately is vanishing. It is of the latest pavers the merit of the perfect paving of the town makes it unique of its kind. In the beautiful historical centre one can admire the octagonal tower of the castel bequested in the quarrel of Simone, Count of Sangro.


FESTIVITIES:
17 January: Fires of St Anthony, Second Sunday of July: Feast of St Mary and St Peter.
 
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