Castel Frentano

province of Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy

Info:

Altitude: 400 m a.s.l -- Distance from Chieti: 40 km -- Population: ca. 3900 inhabitants -- Zip code: 66032 -- Phone Area Code: 0872 -- How to reach it: road: s.n. 84 from Lanciano; motorway: A14 exit Lanciano

The place

Situated on a hill, in a wonderfully panoramic position, this little town is surrounded by olive trees and vineyards. There's a wealth of monuments and works of art to admire, and when you feel just a little tired with sightseeing, the typical local cake to taste: the "bocconotto".

History:

The history of the centre goes back to thousands of years ago, when the Frentanes (an Italic population already flourishing here one thousand years B.C.) - from whom the name of the town is derived - populated the area. This is documented by the presence of pre-Roman tombsites at nearby Madonna del Casale, which was a resting station on the long path (the "Tratturo") that Abruzzese shepherds followed from their summer sites in the mountains to their winter sites along the coast, in Apulia (south of Abruzzo). It was first mentioned in documents of the XII century A.D. A terrible landslide in 1881 destroyed a large part of the village.

Sights & Excursions

Vergilij Palace
Crognale Palace
Church of St. Maria della Selva, where a fine wooden statue of the Lady with Child can be admired
Church of St. Stefano
Church of the Trinità

Events & Festivities

2-3 August: Feast of St. Stefano
5 August: Festival of "donativi"
15 August: Feast of the Assunta, patron of Castel Frentano
Throughout August: Art exhibitions, sports events, wine and local food festivals.

Hotels, Lodging, Restaurants

Ristorante Leon d'oro, via G. Matteotti 3, Castel Frentano (CH) - tel. (+39)0872 56155

Genealogy, News & Links

Municipio, v. Cavalieri di v. Veneto 16, 66032 Castel Frentano (CH) - tel. (+39)0872 569442
Surnames presently recorded in Castel Frentano

People researching in Castel Frentano