Valle Castellana (Ascolano: I Piana) is a village and comune in the Province of Teramo, in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. It is a member of the Italian community of surrounding mountain villages, Monti della Laga. It is located in the natural park known as the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park.

Valle Castellana
Comune di Valle Castellana
Coat of arms of Valle Castellana
Location of Valle Castellana
Map
Valle Castellana is located in Italy
Valle Castellana
Valle Castellana
Location of Valle Castellana in Italy
Valle Castellana is located in Abruzzo
Valle Castellana
Valle Castellana
Valle Castellana (Abruzzo)
Coordinates: 42°44′N 13°30′E / 42.733°N 13.500°E / 42.733; 13.500
CountryItaly
RegionAbruzzo
ProvinceTeramo (TE)
FrazioniBasto, Casanova, Ceraso, Cerquito, Cerro, Cesano, Colle, Collegrato, Coronelle, Corvino, Fischioli, Fornisco, Laturo, Leofara, Macchia da Borea, Macchia da Sole, Mattere, Morrice, Olmeto, Pascellata, Piano Maggiore, Pietralta, Prevenisco, Rio di Lame, San Giacomo, Santa Rufina, Santo Stefano, San Vito, Settecerri, Stivigliano, Valle Fara, Vallenquina, Valle Pezzata, Valloni, Valzo, Vignatico, Villa Franca
Government
 • MayorVincenzo Esposito
Area
 • Total134 km2 (52 sq mi)
Elevation
625 m (2,051 ft)
Population
 (1 January 2007)[2]
 • Total1,158
 • Density8.6/km2 (22/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
64010
Dialing code0861
Patron saintMaria Santissima Annunziata
Saint day25 March
WebsiteOfficial website

Geography edit

The comune takes its name from the Castellana River, which travels north towards Ascoli Piceno in the Marche region. From here it joins the Tronto River before eventually leading out to the Adriatic Sea.

The comune is bordered by Accumoli, Acquasanta Terme, Amatrice, Arquata del Tronto, Ascoli Piceno, Campli, Civitella del Tronto, Rocca Santa Maria, Torricella Sicura.

History edit

Some literary scholars have put forth the hypothesis that the Castellano River is the same "fiume Verde" (Verde River) where Manfred of Sicily is claimed to have been buried in the Divine Comedy of Dante. The Castellana River basin, along with the Montagna dei Fiori formed the northernmost portion of the Kingdom of Naples.

See also edit

Notes and references edit

  1. ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ^ All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.