OTHER TOWNS

SERRAMONACESCA

Email us if you have surnames or soprannomi from Serramonacesca that you would like to have posted on this page.

Click Here to view Serramonacesca surnames

OTHER TOWNS MAP

PARK TOWNS Abbateggio Ateleta Bolognano Campo di Giove Cansano Caramanico Terme Civitella M. R. Corfinio Fara San Martino Gamberale Guardiagrele Lama dei Peligni Lettopalena Manoppello Montenerodomo Pacentro Palena Palombaro Pennapiedimonte Pescocostanzo Pizzoferrato Popoli Pratola Peligna Pretoro Rapino Rivisondoli Roccacasale Rocca Pia Roccaraso Salle Sant' Eufemia San Valentino   Serramonacesca Sulmona Taranta Peligna Tocco da Casauria NEARBY TOWNS Alanno Cepagatti Cugnoli Nocciano Pietranico Roccamontepiano Rosciano Scafa Turrivalignani

The photos in the bottom row came from THIS Italian website, which has many photos of Abruzzo.

Serramonacesca is in the province of Pescara, located on the crest of a hill at an elevation of 900 feet; the hill is on a steep ridge created by the erosive action of the waters of the Alento and Vallone rivers.  The population is 674 inhabitants.  The town is noted for the 9th century Benedictine Abbey of San Liberatore a Maiella, one of the most important medieval churches in Abruzzo.  Archaeological work has revealed that the town's site has been inhabited continuously for thousands of years, first by prehistoric peoples, then by the Maruccini, an Italic tribe which inhabited this area, and then by the Romans. The town's origins are linked to the abbey of San Liberatore, and its name stems from the geography of the area: It was originally called 'Serra di Monaci,' meaning 'jagged mountain of the monks.'  The abbey, which is located a short distance from the town (photo, top left, with a closer view of the abbey top right, and the interior bottom left), arose during the 9th century.  According to tradition, the abbey has its roots with the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne.  The legend says that in the year 781, on the site where the abbey now stands, Charlemagne did battle with the barbarian forces and won; as a result he decided to build a church on that spot dedicated to the cult of the Divine Liberator. The town developed simultaneously with the abbey.  It was populated by shepherds, farmers and woodsmen, and it was overlooked by Castle Menardo, a medieval castle which was largely destroyed in 1492; the ruins can still be seen.  The monks of San Liberatore knew how to make use of the natural resources that surrounded them, especially the forest.  The most useful tree was the oak, which made an excellent building material and also furnished acorns, nourishment for the pigs.  In times of scarcity, the wild fruits and berries of the forest sustained the people of the village and supported the half-wild sheep, pigs and goats as well.  The land was very fertile and cultivated fields, planted mainly with grapes and wheat, extended from the Abbey to the lower part of the village.  Some of the land was also devoted to the cultivation of medicinal herbs, the only source of medicines known at that time. The town's parish church is that of S. Maria Assunta .  The main square is the Piazza della Liberta (photo bottom right).  The most important point of interest in Serramonacesca is of course the Abbey of San Liberatore a Maiella and its magnificent bell tower.  Through its romanesque doors, in the interior of the church can be found a 12th century pulpit, fragments of medieval frescoes, and the remains of 13th century floor paving.

Lu Lette | La Rocca | The Area | Other Towns | "Stories" Lu Lette Surnames | La Rocca Surnames | Maps | Family Nicknames    Organizations & Events | Scrapbook | Genealogy Help      Links | Wallpaper | Sponsors      Sign Our Guestbook | Home | View Our Guestbook         *DOWNLOAD LU LETTE AND LA ROCCA SONGS*

Sulmona

Scafa