Picciano

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Picciano, from east
Picciano, from east
Comune di Picciano
Coat of arms of Comune di Picciano
Municipal coat of arms

Location of Picciano in Italy
Country Flag of Italy Italy
Region Abruzzo
Province Pescara (PE)
Mayor Marino Marini
Elevation 153 m (502 ft)
Area 7 km² (3 sq mi)
Population (as of December 31, 2006)
 - Total 1,398
 - Density 200/km² (518/sq mi)
Time zone CET, UTC+1
Coordinates 42°28′N, 13°59′E
Gentilic Piccianesi
Dialing code 085
Postal code 65010
Frazioni Piccianello, Pagliari, Colletti, Le Piane, Incotte, Casette, Colli, Fontanelle.
Patron San Vincenzo Ferreri
 - Day 1st Sunday after Easter

Picciano is a village in Italy in the Province of Pescara, within the Abruzzo region. Its population at the end of 2006 was 1,398.


[edit] History

Picciano is first mentioned in 1049 when Bernardo Earl of Penne, with the Charta Offersionis, gave fields and buildings to build a Benedictine abbey in its hills. This is the first indication of the existence of a town called Picciano. and could be considered its terminus ante quem.

Many legends are known about the origin of the name "Picciano", the most believable talks about shepherds devoted to the Goddess Pithia; other variants of the name, found in the Charta Convenientiae, is "Piczano" so that perhaps the name of the town can be dated back to the Early Middle Age, avoiding conjectures about Roman origins.

One of the two marble Lions coming from the ancient Abbey.
One of the two marble Lions coming from the ancient Abbey.
S. Maria del Soccorso Church, Picciano, Façade
S. Maria del Soccorso Church, Picciano, Façade