Monticelli is a small village, a ''

frazione A ''frazione'' (: ''frazioni'') is a type of subdivision of a ''comune'' ('municipality') in Italy, often a small village or hamlet outside the main town. Most ''frazioni'' were created during the Fascist era (1922–1943) as a way to consolidat ...

'' of the ''

comune A (; : , ) is an administrative division of Italy, roughly equivalent to a township or municipality. It is the third-level administrative division of Italy, after regions () and provinces (). The can also have the City status in Italy, titl ...

'' of

Teramo Teramo (; ) is a city and ''comune'' in the Italian region of Abruzzo, the capital of the province of Teramo. The city, from Rome, is situated between the highest mountains of the Apennines ( Gran Sasso d'Italia) and the Adriatic coast. Th ...

in the

Abruzzo Abruzzo (, ; ; , ''Abbrìzze'' or ''Abbrèzze'' ; ), historically also known as Abruzzi, is a Regions of Italy, region of Southern Italy with an area of 10,763 square km (4,156 sq mi) and a population of 1.3 million. It is divided into four ...

region of Italy. It has previously been called ''Monticulo'' and ''Monticello''.

History

The origins of Monticelli date back to at least the 10th century. In 1062

Carbone di Solfio Carbone is an Italian surname meaning ''coal'' in Italian. Notable people with the surname include: Real people *Alejandra Carbone (born 1975) Argentine foil fencer *Angelo Carbone (born 1968), Italian footballer *Benito Carbone (born 1971), Ita ...

gave his holdings in the castle at Monticello, a small local church, and land in an area called Tricagli, to Pietro, bishop of Teramo. A castle in the Monticelli area is also mentioned in 13th century documents. Between the 12th and the 16th centuries a convent was present as well as churches dedicated to

Saint Paul Paul, also named Saul of Tarsus, commonly known as Paul the Apostle and Saint Paul, was a Christian apostle ( AD) who spread the teachings of Jesus in the first-century world. For his contributions towards the New Testament, he is generally ...

and

Saint George Saint George (;Geʽez: ጊዮርጊስ, , ka, გიორგი, , , died 23 April 303), also George of Lydda, was an early Christian martyr who is venerated as a saint in Christianity. According to holy tradition, he was a soldier in the ...

. These are no longer in existence and their exact location is unknown. On 30 April 1351, Queen

Joanna I of Naples Joanna I, also known as Johanna I (; December 1325 – 27 July 1382), was Queen of Naples, and Countess of Provence and Forcalquier from 1343 to 1381; she was also Princess of Achaea from 1373 to 1381. Joanna was the eldest daughter of C ...

and her husband

Louis of Taranto Louis I (Italian: ''Luigi'', ''Aloisio'', or ''Ludovico'' ; 1320 – 26 May 1362), also known as Louis of Taranto, was a member of the Capetian House of Anjou who reigned as King of Naples, Count of Provence and Forcalquier, and Prince of Tar ...

had Monticello, along with the neighboring communities of Ponzano, Varano and

Tofo Sant'Eleuterio Tofo-Sant'Eleuterio is a small village in the province of Teramo, in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. It is a ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' of Teramo. The inhabitants are known as ''Tofesi''. Geography Tofo-Sant'Eleuterio lies about 10 ...

, incorporated into territory (at that time referred to as a Università) of Teramo. In 1368 the nearby Campora was added to this list.

Norman Norman or Normans may refer to: Ethnic and cultural identity * The Normans, a people partly descended from Norse Vikings who settled in the territory of Normandy in France in the 9th and 10th centuries ** People or things connected with the Norma ...

feudal records show Monticello and nearby Nepezzano under the tutelage of the Melatinos, a powerful family who dominated the area around Teramo, up until the 15th century. A market was once held on Saturdays, the same day as the current Teramo market. In past times Monticelli probably served as a way station for vendors bringing their goods from the Vibrata Valley to sell in Teramo.

Notes and references

External links

Monticelli Cultural Society
{{authority control Frazioni of Teramo