Villa Santa Lucia degli Abruzzi

province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy

The place

Up in the Gran Sasso, against the background of Monte Prema and Monte Camicia, amid splendid oak and leech woods, Villa Santa Lucia rises near an ancient fortress called "il Castelluccio", near a route connecting in the past the Valle Tritana with the Voltigno Plateau. The coat of arms is Santa Lucia with a palm twig in her hand.

Information:

Altitude: 850 m a.s.l -- Distance from L'Aquila: 55 km -- Population: ca. 300 inhabitants -- Zip code: 67020 -- Phone Area Code: 0862 -- How to reach it: road: SS17 from L'Aquila or Pescara, then road to Ofena

History:

Archeological findings show that the area was inhabited in pre-Roman times already, as shown also a dolmen in contrada Castelluccio, megalithic walls in Valle San Nicola, and a number of caves showing traces of prehistoric man. It is recorded as a Vestine settlement as Aufinaes Cismontani, then the Romans attacked and destroyed it. The village rose in the Middle Ages, and was for a long time a "villa" depending from the "universitas" of Ofena. In 1910 only it became an independent municipality, and included also the area of Villa Carrufo. Then a massive emigration of the inhabitants began along with the decline of the traditional pastoral and agricultural economy.

Sights & Excursions

The Castelluccio
Santa Maria delle Vicenne, a medieval countryside church
The ruins of an ancient church in Borgo Colle venatorio, possibly the one mentioned in 1112 in a document by Pope Pasquale II as dedicated to Santa Lucia
The Municipal Museum, consisting of items donated by the inhabitants, whose custodian is Dr Diamante De Luca
The Voltigno valley, rich in mushrooms and strawberries, where for thousands of years the local breeders kept their livestock

Events & Festivities

August Feast of patron Santa Lucia

Genealogy, News & Links

Surnames presently recorded in Villa Santa Lucia degli Abruzzi

People researching in Villa Santa Lucia degli Abruzzi

To request certificates: Ufficio Anagrafe, Municipio - 3 v. cesare battisti 67020 VILLA SANTA LUCIA DEGLI ABRUZZI (AQ)- telephone: +39 0862 956110