Teggiano

Not to be confused with Tiggiano.
Teggiano (Salerno)
Comune
Città di Teggiano

Panoramic View

Coat of arms
Teggiano (Salerno)

Location of Teggiano (Salerno) in Italy

Coordinates: 40°23′N 15°32′E / 40.383°N 15.533°E
Country Italy
Region  Campania
Province Province of Salerno (SA)
Frazioni Facofano, Macchiaroli, Pantano, Piedimonte, Prato Perillo, San Marco
Government
  Mayor Rocco Cimino (since May 26, 2014)
Area
  Total 61 km2 (24 sq mi)
Elevation 637 m (2,090 ft)
Population (31 December 2005)
  Total 8,139
  Density 130/km2 (350/sq mi)
Demonym Teggianesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 84039
Dialing code 0975
Patron saint San Cono da Teggiano
Saint day 3 June
Website Official website
Castle of Teggiano.

Teggiano (formerly called Diano) is a town and comune in Campania, Italy, in the province of Salerno. It is situated on an isolated eminence above the upper part of the valley to which it gives the name of Vallo di Diano.
Among the historic centers of the Province of Salerno, Teggiano is certainly one that has best preserved its ancient appearance of the fortress and it is this aspect which is showed to those who reach the old town. The natural appearance of Roman Oppidum, still now remembered by the well preserved plan of the Cardo and of the Decumanus, was renewed in the Norman period and in the age of Frederick II of Hohenstaufen.

History

In the late 19th century Giacomo Racioppi attributed its foundation to Oscan-Sabellian tribes driven out from their lands as a result of the expansion of the Etruscan civilization. Lately they say Tegianum was built by Lucanians early in the 4th century BC, and later was a municipal town of Lucania, made into a colony by Emperor Nero.

During the Middle Ages that Diano had a predominant role in the history of the Vallo di Diano. In Norman times, the Sanseverino family, counts of Marsico and later princes of Salerno, took over the fief of Diano which was composed of the hamlets of Sassano, Monte San Giacomo, San Rufo, San Pietro al Tanagro and Sant'Arsenio. Teggiano was ruled by the Sanseverino for over three centuries (1239–1556). They chose the castle as a stronghold in which they could take shelter during emergencies. At that time Diano was well surrounded by high walls with 25 guard towers and four gates. In 1497, under Antonello Sanseverino of Salerno, the city resisted the siege undertaken by Frederick IV of Naples for 8 months. Following a new rebellion, led this time by Ferrante, last Prince of Salerno, in 1552 the Sanseverino family was expelled from the kingdom. Teggiano became a fief of other noble families including the Gomez da Silva, the Grimaldi, the Caracciolo, the Villani, the Colonna, the Calà and Schipani.

St. Antuono church.

In 1564, after the Council of Trent, Bishop Paolo Varallo instituted in Diano one of the first seminaries in Italy, completed in 1601. On July 17, 1586 Pope Sixtus V gave the right to establish the residence in Diano, in the actual see, to Bishop Lelio Morello, giving to Diano Episcopalian prerogatives and raised in the meanwhile the church of S. Maria Maggiore to the honor of Cathedral. The action of the Counter-Reformation and the presence of high offices brought in the later centuries a radical remaking of the Romano-Gothic churches in Baroque style.

Two major earthquakes concerned Teggiano's territory: the Neapolitan earthquake that occurred on December 16, 1857 (estimated of magnitude 6.9 on the Richter Scale), and the Irpininan earthquake on November 23, 1980 (measuring 6.89 on the Richter Scale).

Demographic trends

Historical population
YearPop.±%
18616,903    
18717,523+9.0%
18817,617+1.2%
19015,095−33.1%
19114,908−3.7%
19215,960+21.4%
19317,943+33.3%
19368,365+5.3%
19519,223+10.3%
19618,780−4.8%
19718,184−6.8%
19818,003−2.2%
19918,582+7.2%
20018,241−4.0%
Source: ISTAT

The population of Teggiano has fluctuated since 1861, reaching a low of 4908 inhabitants in 1911, and a high of 9223 inhabitants in 1951. According to ISTAT, the recorded population was 8241 in the 2001.

Main sights

Ruins of the ancient city can be traced at the foot of the hill; a Roman bridge is also present. Other landmarks are:

Twin towns

See also

References

    Sources

    Wikimedia Commons has media related to Teggiano.

    External links