INFO:
Altitude: mt 620 a.s.l -- Population: ca. 4,000 inhabitants
-- Zip/postal code: 71026 -- Phone Area Code: 0881
HISTORY:
Already inhabited in pre-historical times, as shown in the present district called "Pesco" by the caves excavated by Oscan populations in the mountain of Elceto, it was later a Roman castrum, which was built in a high position covered with elce trees, from which came the name of the town.
After the fall of the Roman empire, it was gradually fortified for protection against Saracen raids. In the 12th century it was included in the Norman kingdom. In 1563 king Alphonse of Aragon granted it as a marquisdom to Antonio Piccolomini, a nephew of Pope Pius II, who brought to the place an Albanian community.
WHAT TO SEE
The most ancient church in town, the Chiesa dell'Annunziata, dating back to the 9th century AD, divided into 3 aisles by Gothic arches in pink stone. It was repeatedly renovated in the centuries in different styles, especially after the 1930 earthquake when all the vaults collapsed. Inside there is an ancient holywater basin, made with a column of Roman times. Outside the church on the facade a rare "magical square".
The Norman - Swabian Castle, a national monument, which witnessed almost all the history of the town and is a key fortress in the study of the development of defensive architecture. Situated on a rock summit, which the town on one side and an abrupt abyss over 100 mt high on the other, it was for centuries of great strategic importance. Today in the form of a diamond, it had originally a triangular shape.
The north-eastern side is 55 mt long, and is enclosed between 2 round towers called Molo and Parasinno. The southern side borders the almost vertical abyss, at bottom of which flows a stream, and is 66 mt long, beginning from the Parasinno tower and ending in a sharp corner.
The 2 shorter sides meet at the Norman tower, called Donjon. The castle was supposed to be a self-sufficient community, as shown by the water cysterns, the stables for the horses and the huge underground deposits.
EVENTS
24 February, the San Mattia bonfire, which commemorates the protection given by St Matthew the apostle, patron of Deliceto, during a Saracen siege. At night soon after sunset bonfires are lit in the various quarters with a final prize for the best fire.
5, 6 and 7 May, Feast for San Benvenuto, with a pilgrimage to the Santuario della Consolazione, with statues carried on the shoulder by the faithful for over 4 km.
14 August, historical re-enactement with costume characters in commemoration of the arrival in the castle of the first Marquis of Iliceto in the 15th century, the investiture of the Marquis, and the donation of a reliquary cross to the town from Pope Pius II
| |
|
