Overview
Corfinio stands on a plateau in the centre of the “Conca Peligna”, near two confluent rivers that are Aterno and Sagittario.
The village boasts very ancient origins and its history is truly fascinating. And listen to how this Abruzzese town has been important.
It was the capital of the Italic League during the social war against Rome in the 15th century, chosen precisely because of its strategic location. During the two years of war, the town was a very vital centre. The first coin of the insurgents was minted here, with the legend "Italia", the name by which Corfinium was renamed and which would become, many centuries later, that of the entire nation. Today, in the town, the re-enactment of the birth of the Italic League is celebrated in August, during which a historical market is set up with ancient stores, food and wine products, crafts and much more. Fascinating these historical events, aren't they?
But, listen up! Corfinio is a very important and famous destination for archaeology lovers as well. Indeed, excavations have unearthed many finds, which can be observed in the "Don Antonio Colella" Archaeological Park. In the 19th century, Italian historian and anthropologist Antonio De Nino decided to investigate the areas of San Giacomo, San Pelino and Sant'Ippolito. There, the scholar found artifacts from the Italic city of Corfinium. At the San Giacomo plan he discovered remains of sidewalks, porticoes and mosaic floors. The urban fabric is from the 2nd century B.C. Areas such as the baths and domus are, however, from the next century, when the city was transformed following the Roman style. In the area of the Italic temple, near the provincial road to Pratola Peligna, he also found a shrine belonging to the 1st century.
The museum is located inside the famous Trippitelli Palace. The building, renovated in recent times, dates back to the 17th century and belonged to the Trippitelli family, whose name it bears, while previously it was owned by the Colella family.
Are you ready for a further call to this Abruzzese village? The St. Pelino Co-cathedral of Valva is your further “exhortation”. It was erected on the site where St. Pelino was martyred and an early Christian cemetery arose. The present complex of buildings consists of three main bodies, of which the cathedral and the oratory of St. Alexander are the oldest block. The basilica – completed in 1235 and repeatedly devastated by earthquakes – was internally remade according to Baroque taste in the 17th and 18th centuries. In the 1970s, restoration work restored the building to its former Romanesque splendour.
The Oratory of St. Alexander was erected on the right flank of the church of St. Pelino to house the remains of Pope Alexander I, although the burial site has never been identified. The interior of the structure is divided into four cross-vaulted bays, and the apse is frescoed with figures of saints dating from the 13th century.
Corfinio also offers tasty specialties, including “fiadoni” with ricotta, “amaretti”, red garlic, jams, legumes, olive oil, and a variety of products in oil.