Fontecchio

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Comune di Fontecchio
Coat of arms of Comune di Fontecchio
Municipal coat of arms

Location of Fontecchio in Italy
Country Flag of Italy Italy
Region Abruzzo
Province L'Aquila (AQ)
Elevation 668 m (2,192 ft)
Area 16.88 km² (7 sq mi)
Population (as of 01-01-2007 (ISTAT))
 - Total 410
 - Density 24/km² (62/sq mi)
Time zone CET, UTC+1
Coordinates 42°13′50″N, 13°36′24″E
Gentilic Fontecchiani or Fonticulani
Dialing code 0862
Postal code 67020
Frazioni San Pio di Fontecchio
Patron Saint Blaise
 - Day 3 February

Fontecchio is a comune and town in the Province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of Italy.

[edit] History

There is archaeological evidence of the Roman settlement of Fonticulanum[citation needed] down on the Aterno river. In the Middle Ages a castle was built on top of the hill and the population moved up there. The condottiero Braccio da Montone ("Fortebraccio") (1368-1424) tried and failed to capture the castle in the 14th century.

Today you can see a wonderful and well conserved historical centre. Many fragments of ancient monuments are displayed in the L'Aquila museum.

[edit] Notes and references