Picciano

Comune in Abruzzo, Italy

42°28′N 13°59′E / 42.467°N 13.983°E / 42.467; 13.983CountryItalyRegionAbruzzoProvincePescara (PE)FrazioniPiccianello, Pagliari, Colletti, Le Piane, Incotte, Casette, Colli, Fontanelle.Government • MayorMarino MariniArea • Total7 km² (3 sq mi)Elevation153 m (502 ft)Population • Total1,398 • Density200/km² (520/sq mi)DemonymPiccianesiTime zoneUTC+1 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)Postal codeDialing code085Patron saintSan Vincenzo FerreriSaint day1st Sunday after Easter

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

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.

Images

• 
  The campanile of Santa Maria del Soccorso from north
• 
  Picciano, Historic Centre
• 
  Picciano & La Bella Addormentata
• 
  Picciano e Piccianello
• 
  Piccianello from south

References