Arsita

Arsita is a medieval town and comune in Province of Teramo in the Abruzzo region of eastern Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park".

Geography

Arsita is a communal capital in the Province of Teramo in the Abruzzo Region of Italy. Arsita is located at an altitude of 470 meters in the hills along the river Fino, on the Eastern side of the Gran Sasso d'Italia, 36 km from Teramo. In its territory there are pre-Roman remains from the 8th century B.C., and Roman coins, floors of buildings and small statues of the early Christian era.

History

Called Bacucco until 1905, Arsita rose in the later Middle Ages around a fortified castle called Castello Bacucco, which belonged originally to the Count of Chieti, then to the monks of Montecassino and finally to the Casa d'Este. The village was sold in 1583 to Margaret of Austria Farnese. Other historians claim that Bacucco took its name from the Roman word for the god Bacchus.

In the 12th century the town was a possession of the ruling Acquaviva family. In 1806 the town came under the rule of the town of Penne. During the Napoleonic period a good number of brigands held the territory in and around Arsita. A series of skirmishes occurred during this period.

In the early 19th century the waters from a spring in this area were said to have healing powers.

Events

Each year on the 17th of January, the residents of Arsita, in collaboration with the towns of Cermignano, Tossicia, and Bisenti celebrate the Feast of Saint Antonio Abate. Another festival features the townsfolk dressed up in costumes representing the 12 months of the year.

Sights

• Castello Bacucco, (remains) in the uppermost part of the village.
• Church of Santa Vittoria
• Church of Santa Maria D'Aragona, with a fine Madonna con Bambino
• Di Francesco watermill, along the ancient "Sentiero dei Mulini" (mills' path)
• Inferno spaccato, a rock-climbing site with modern facilities