Short historical information
Under the feudal system the town belonged to a series of noble families over the
centuries, including that of Niccolo di Acciano in the 14th century, the Caldora family and then the Malvezzi family
in the 15th century, and in the 18th century the Angio, Acciano and Portella families and finally the Aquino family,
which possessed the town until the fuedal system was abolished in the first decade of the 19th century.
Taranta called "city" in the past, was occupied in Roman times, and this is attested to by the discovery
in 1568 of a stone tomb with a Latin inscription.
Present-day Taranta Peligna arose in the medieval era, when a castle - probably defensive - was built there, and
a village grew around it. It was then known only as Taranta and did not take the name Taranta Peligna until after
the unification of Italy in 1865.
Natural events
The town was partially destroyed by the earthquake of 1933, and was virtually razed to the ground during WWII.
Nevertheless, it has not completely lost its medieval aspect, owing to the survival of a few of the churches and old
houses. In the center of the town are the ruins of the 15th century church of San Biagio, protector of the wool-workers.
Built in the late romanesque style, all that remains is part of the facade, with the great portal surrounded by a wooden
casing on which are carved the figures of San Biagio, San Rocco, and busts of other saints and angels.
On the left side of the church ruins stand two stories of its once-imposing bell tower, built of huge blocks of stone
between 1564 and 1616.
Oftenly the town was destroyed by natural events, like earthquakes and pestileces.
Very catastrofic was the earthquakes in 3th November 1706, in 1915, in 1933 that corrupted the build of S.Biagio church, and
the lastest in 1984.
Nevertheless, it has not completely lost its medieval aspect, owing to the survival of a few of the churches and old
houses.
Altri eventi naturali segnarono la storia di Taranta, come la devastante piena del torrente Aventino verificatasi nel 1929 che
ridisegnò il percorso del fiume distruggendo le abitazioni costruite nelle sue vicinanze.
Si racconta, inoltre, di un acquazzone incessante che mise a dura prova tutto il territorio
alle pendici della Majella.
Wars
Un particolare evento, indimenticabile per gli abitanti di questa terra, è la Seconda Guerra Mondiale, quando nel novembre del 1943 il
paese viene quasi interamente distrutto e saccheggiato dai soldati tedeschi con l'uso delle mine. Questo segna l'inizio dello sfollamento dei tarantolesi,
ovvero dell'abbandono del paese per raggiungere i ripari naturali offerti dalla Montagna Madre, ricca di grotte ed intercapedini che fecero
da perfetto nascondiglio contro i tedeschi.
Taranta Peligna was a wool manufacturing center from as early as the 13th century. Fulling mills were set up along
the Aventino river by the monks of the monastery of San Biagio. The nearby grazing grounds for sheep on the Maiella
mountains guaranteed a source of top quality wool for cloth production. In the 16th century, Abruzzese woolen products
were the most sought-after in Europe, and the fabric produced at Taranta Peligna was among the most-prized of
the Abruzzese fabric. The fabric, with its characteristic patterns and colors, is called 'taranta'.
Others historical events (briefly):
1616: ended the S.Biagio church belltower under Giorolamo Morlino times;
1894: la grande frana delle Fonticelle;
5 dic 1943 - funded Brigata Majella;
Natale 1944 - re-building of town after it was been razed to the ground;
1991: la Croce delle pietre viene trafugata;
2 Luglio 1991: the 'Madonna della Valle' church become Marian Santuary.
1999: la Croce delle pietre viene rifatta;
2001: la Croce delle pietre viene nuovamente trafugata;
