Città Sant'Angelo

History

The origins of Città Sant'Angelo are uncertain and have always been a basis for historical discussion, beginning with the Vestini, an ancient Sabine tribe. The numerous archaeological finds between the mouths of the Piomba and Saline Rivers, and the presence of small urban settlements at the site called Marina Sant'Angelo point to the origins of the town during the Roman period, located in the eastern portion of the Vestine region.

Città Sant'Angelo appears to be located where Plinius wrote of the existence of one of the four Vestini cities, either Angelus or Angulum. It is cited from the 12th century as Castrum Sancti Angeli (Latin: "Castle of the Holy Angel").

However, around 400 CE, the first churches were established in the area between Città Sant'Angelo and Atri. The vestino-roman habitations, which would have been located in the nearby Salt Hill, were probably destroyed in the early Middle Ages, during the Gothic War (535–554); the Longobards (Lombards) who invaded Italy after the Gothic War, would likely have rebuilt the areas from scratch in their present locations, leaving as the trace of their later presence the veneration of the archangel Michael. Evidence of this veneration can be seen in both the local landmark and the municipal coat of arms.

The first official record of the municipality mentions a concession from the Emperor Ludovico II (Louis II of Italy) who granted a privilege to the Monastery of Casauria on the site called "CIVITATE S. ANGELI", where there was a castle and a port. This was dated 13 October 875.

In the 12th century the town was aggregated into Loreto County by the Normans who established the Kingdom of Sicily. It was a Guelph town, destroyed in 1240 by Boemondo Pissono, executioner to Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor of the Hohenstaufen dynasty, and successor to the Normans as the King of Sicily, because the city was too loyal to his enemy, the Catholic Church. The city was rebuilt quickly and took the shape of a fortified nucleus inside a semicircle. The most prominent names were those of Zizza and Salomone. The arrival of the monastic orders in the first half of the 14th century generated widening interest and finally a monastery was established. …

Main sights

Città Sant'Angelo is a member of the club "I Borghi più belli d'Italia". The entire centre is characterized by 18th-century brick houses. Sights include:

The parish church of San Michele Arcangelo (Collegiate Church) of the 13th century, with stone portal of 1326, an interesting Nativity fresco in the attic, a 14th-century bell tower, and inside the choir wooden Baroque frescoes of the first half of the 15th century. It has a 48-metre-tall (157 ft) bell tower and houses remains of an early medieval pulpit from the 7th-8th centuries, as well as a portico and the tomb of bishop Amico di Buonamicizia, both from the 15th century.

The Church of St. Francis, with a fine 14th-century portal of the Atri school; the interior was renovated in 1741.

The Church of St. Augustine, with 18th-century stuccos by Terzani.

The Church of St. Bernard, formerly a church of the Cistercian Riformati, whose monastery was erected later next to the church. Now Baroque, it has remnants of the old building on one side.

The Church of St. Chiara, on a baroque circular plan with three chapels; stucco decorations by Carlo Piazzoli and Girolamo Rizza.

Park Place Botanical Gardens, near the river.

The Church of San Salvatore, an oratory.

Astagno Palace, Brandimarte Palace, Ghiotti Palace and Ursini Palace.

Museo Laboratorio d'Arte: housed in the old Manifattura Tabacchi.