Monteferrante

province of Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy

Info:

Altitude: 800 m a.s.l -- Distance from Chieti: 89 km -- Population: ca. 200 inhabitants -- Zip code: 66040 -- Phone Area Code: 0872 -- How to reach it:
- road: S.N. 652 from Castel di Sangro or Lanciano (A14 uscita Lanciano)

The place

Immersed in a wonderful natural landscape among pastures and green woods, north of the Lupara mountain, this village is a precious relic of the Abruzzese past. Inhabited today by no more than 200 people, was hit in the past by raids of brigands and disastrous landslides, which may be the reasosn for its being so underpopulated now. There is a renowned, almost miraculous diuretic mineral water, found in the so-called valle Macchia, which might be a strong attractive for a rebirth of the place as a very specialized tourist destination.

History:

An Italic necropolis was found in the nearby countryside, which shows there was a settlement in pre-Roman times. Then in the early 12th century the Di Sangro family is recorded as lords of this feifdom and built a castle whose ruins can still be seen. The place was probably named after King Ferrante d'Aragona, and for a long time was ruled by the powerful Caracciolo family.

Sights & Excursions

The medieval borough, with narrow alleys and old stone houses
The village church
The remains of the monastery of Santa Maria on the nearby mountains
Treno della Valle

Events & Festivities

19 March: Le tavole di San Giuseppe - Feast of San Giuseppe, with tables prepared by the local families for relatives and guests with an image of San Giuseppe in the centre.

Hotels, Lodging, Restaurants

BAR LA TAVERNA - 2, v. s.leonardo +39 0872 940252
RISTORANTE LA FONTANA - 8 p.Vittorio Emanuele +39 0872 940401

Genealogy, News & Links

Municipio, c.Umberto 66040 MONTEFERRANTE (Chieti)
Surnames presently recorded in Monteferrante

People researching in Monteferrante