Taranta Peligna
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Taranta Peligna | |
|---|---|
| Comune di Taranta Peligna | |
 | |
  Taranta Peligna Location of Taranta Peligna in Italy  Taranta Peligna Taranta Peligna (Abruzzo) | |
| Coordinates: 42°01′N 14°10′E / 42.017°N 14.167°E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Abruzzo |
| Province | Chieti (CH) |
| Frazioni | Ortole |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Marcello Di Martino (since June 2009) |
| Area | |
• Total | 21 km2 (8.1 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 460 m (1,510 ft) |
| Population (2004)[2] | |
• Total | 280 |
| • Density | 13/km2 (35/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Tarantolesi |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 66018 |
| Dialing code | 0872 |
| Patron saint | St. Ubaldo |
| Website | Official website |
Taranta Peligna (Abruzzese: La Taranta) is a comune and town in the province of Chieti in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. It is 57 kilometres (35 mi) from Chieti.
Located in the Aventino Valley, at the foot of the Maiella, in the past it was famous for its industry of woolen cloth called "taranta", a still thriving activity.[3]
Taranta Peligna has inhabited since prehistoric times as evidenced by the discovery of a bronze axe from the first half of the 2nd millennium BC. In the 11th century it was a fief of the Counts of Sangro, if in 1065 Count Borrello son of Borrello and his son Borrello Infante donated to Bishop Attone, then Lord of Chieti, the Church of San Pietro di Taranta (now gone).[4] In 12th century it was mentioned as Tarantam when it was a fief of a soldier run by the Manerius de Palena, a follower of Bohemund, count of Manoppello,[5] while in the 13th century it was owned by Berardo of Acciano and Henry of Portella. Instead, in 1316 Niccolò di Acciano owned half of the town, then bought a sixth part from Roberto Morello and Berardo di Lama, then, in the fifteenth century the municipality was a fief of Caldora and in the 18th century it was D'Aquino. Meanwhile, over the years [clarification needed] the country is mentioned in some tenths due to some clericals and churches,[6] while in 1568, a tombstone with an epigraph in Latin is found. Later, in 1943, during World War II the country was almost completely destroyed by the Germans, causing massive emigration.[7] The Maiella earthquake of 1706 claimed 100 lives; this was followed by one in 1915 and another in 1933 and, finally, one in 1984. In addition, in 1929 there was a flood of the Aventine River, when the river destroyed many houses and redesigned the path of the river itself.
During World War II, German supreme commander in Italy Albert Kesselring ordered the population to leave the town on October 26, 1943, as Taranta was across the Gustav Line. The same happened with neighboring Lettopalena. During an Allied bombing, the entire church of San Biagio was blown up.
