Penne

History

The town is ancient, having been occupied from at least the mid-Neolithic period. It was a seat of government of the Vestini people no later than 300 BC. In around 89 BC, the Vestini along with other Italic tribes were defeated by the Romans in the Social War, and became citizens of Rome. The town was known as Pinna Vestinorum during the time of the Roman Republic.

In the Middle Ages, Penne was under the control of the Lombards as part of the Duchy of Spoleto. Starting around 1130 Penne became part of the Kingdom of Sicily. In 1538 the town was given by emperor Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor to his daughter Margaret of Parma as a gift for her wedding to Ottavio Farnese. Under Margaret, Penne became important as a center of power in the Abruzzo region, and many fine palaces and civic structures were erected during this time.

Main sights

The main characteristic of the old town is its streets and houses are built in bricks, so in the past Penne was known as "the small Siena".

Penne's churches include the 12th-century church of Santa Maria in Colleromano, and the Duomo, which now houses the Diocese Museum including a crypt dating from the 8th century. Other churches include Sant'Agostino (with a historical bell-tower), San Giovanni Battista, San Giovanni Evangelista, Annunziata, Madonna del Carmine, San Nicola, San Domenico.

Duomo (Cathedral) of Penne, also known as Chiesa di San Massimo (Church of Saint Massimo). A concathedral of Pescara-Penne archdiocese, it was built after St Maximus of Aveia on a 10th-century Crypt. Probably the Crypt was erected on an ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Vesta. The cathedral was heavily damaged during aerial bombardment in 1944 and was restored in 1955.

Santa Croce: Holy Cross church characterized by a facade showing the symbols of the "Passion of Christ", installed by the Passionists in the 19th century.

Church of Santa Chiara: built in the 17th century next to the ancient Church of the Holy Spirit. Characterized by a Greek cross plan, it was entirely renovated in 1702 AD. The Cupola shows a beautiful fresco by the "pennese" painter Domiziano Vallarola. Next to the church, there is the Clarisse nuns convent which has been included in the St Maximus Hospital in 1912.

Church of San Ciro: erected in the second half of the 18th century and renovated in 1843 by the priest Quintangeli. It now belongs to the "Holy Family" nuns.

Collegiata of San Giovanni Evangelista: There are documents proving the existence of this Church since 1324. It has two magnificent stone portals: the main one from 1604, the lateral one from 1594. The lombard style bell tower was built during renaissance.

Church of Sant'Antonio di Padova: chapel of the family Aliprandi of 1648. Stone portal characterized by a diamond tip pattern. …