Termoli

HISTORY:
Archeological excavations that brought to life an italic necropolis in the areas called Porticone and Difesa Grande, next to the Sinarca river, showed that the area was inhabited since very early times, and it seems, from the study of Roman historians, that here rose the center called Interamnia, meaning in Latin between streams, namely the Biferno and the Sinarca rivers. Another etymology derives the name from "thermae", which suggests there might have been Roman spas in the area, which however have not been found so far. With the fall of the Roman empire then most probably the population took refuge on the promontory where today the old Termoli rises, and in Lombard times was included in the Duchy of Benevento, and later on in that of Spoleto.

In the early 13th century the feudal lord was Duke Bartolomeo di Capua, followed by the son of king Robert of Anjou. In the 15th century the fiefdom passed to Carlo di Gambatesa, who was followed by the Di Capua-D'Altavilla family, who kept the title until 1806. For centuries Termoli often attacked by Saracens pirates and by the Venetians.

WHAT TO SEE

The Cathedral of San Basso, 13th century, containing the relics of San Basso, bishop of Nice, who was a martyr, according to the tradition, in Provence, on 5 December 250 AD. The saint's relics were brought to Termoli probably around the 10th century AD, and buried under the church, then somehow the place of the burial was lost for centuries, until in 1761 during restoration works the ancient marble urn was found again. The cathedral hosts also the relics of St. Timoteo, the disciple of St. Paul, that were probably brought to the Cathedral of Termoli at the time of the Crusades.

The massive Swabian Castle, 12th century, that from its privileged position controlled the Adriatic and hosted a military garrison to protect the population from the attacks of Saracen pirates and Venetian merchants.