Rapino (Teramo)
Encyclopedia
Rapino is a frazione
of the commune
of Teramo
in the Abruzzo
region of Italy
.
, the highest peak in the Apennines and to the east lies a plain leading to the Adriatic Sea
.
tribes have been unearthed in this location. These pieces date back to the 4th century A.C. and are now on display at the Archaeological Museum of Chieti.
Rapino has an elongated shape with one road, winding through the village center and eventually leading to Teramo. A lesser road connects the village to the nearby state road (SS 150). The lack of an efficient means of reaching the SS 150 has served to greatly increase the village's isolation over the years. The local townspeople have recently increased the pressure on the provincial authorities to upgrade this important byway.
Santo Stefano is the main church of the village and was constructed in medieval times. It is best known for a crucifix dating back to the 16th century. Also present is a wooden belltower built in an architectural style reminiscent of the Italian Renaissance
. In records dating back to the 11th century mention is made of a castle existing in this area.
On 23–24 May 1998 a large reunion was held in Rapino by provincial authorities to celebrate the inauguration of a statue honoring local individuals fallen in all of the wars in which Italy has participated.
On 9 October 2007 a town meeting was held at the old schoolhouse of Rapino. A town committee was organized and has since received official recognition by the communal authorities. Initial goals focus on petitioning the commune of Teramo to upgrade the town's transportation links and recreational facilities. Secondary goals include establishing a website for the village, obtaining funds for restoration work on the Chiesa di San Stefano, establishing a high speed ADSL internet connection, and improving the village's sanitary services.
Frazione
A frazione , in Italy, is the name given in administrative law to a type of territorial subdivision of a comune; for other administrative divisions, see municipio, circoscrizione, quartiere...
of the commune
Comune
In Italy, the comune is the basic administrative division, and may be properly approximated in casual speech by the English word township or municipality.-Importance and function:...
of Teramo
Teramo
Teramo is a city and comune in the central Italian region of Abruzzo, the capital of the province of Teramo.The city, from Rome, is situated between the highest mountains of the Apennines and the Adriatic coast...
in the Abruzzo
Abruzzo
Abruzzo is a region in Italy, its western border lying less than due east of Rome. Abruzzo borders the region of Marche to the north, Lazio to the west and south-west, Molise to the south-east, and the Adriatic Sea to the east...
region of Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
Geography
It sits at the top of an imposing hill about 8 miles from Teramo. To the west can be seen the Gran SassoGran Sasso
Gran Sasso d'Italia is a mountain located in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. The Gran Sasso forms the centerpiece of the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park which was established in 1993 and holds the highest mountains in continental Italy south of the Alps and is part of the...
, the highest peak in the Apennines and to the east lies a plain leading to the Adriatic Sea
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges...
.
History
The town dates to pre-Roman Empire times and is rather important in that artifacts of the ancient Piceni and EtruscanEtruscan civilization
Etruscan civilization is the modern English name given to a civilization of ancient Italy in the area corresponding roughly to Tuscany. The ancient Romans called its creators the Tusci or Etrusci...
tribes have been unearthed in this location. These pieces date back to the 4th century A.C. and are now on display at the Archaeological Museum of Chieti.
Rapino has an elongated shape with one road, winding through the village center and eventually leading to Teramo. A lesser road connects the village to the nearby state road (SS 150). The lack of an efficient means of reaching the SS 150 has served to greatly increase the village's isolation over the years. The local townspeople have recently increased the pressure on the provincial authorities to upgrade this important byway.
Santo Stefano is the main church of the village and was constructed in medieval times. It is best known for a crucifix dating back to the 16th century. Also present is a wooden belltower built in an architectural style reminiscent of the Italian Renaissance
Italian Renaissance
The Italian Renaissance began the opening phase of the Renaissance, a period of great cultural change and achievement in Europe that spanned the period from the end of the 13th century to about 1600, marking the transition between Medieval and Early Modern Europe...
. In records dating back to the 11th century mention is made of a castle existing in this area.
On 23–24 May 1998 a large reunion was held in Rapino by provincial authorities to celebrate the inauguration of a statue honoring local individuals fallen in all of the wars in which Italy has participated.
On 9 October 2007 a town meeting was held at the old schoolhouse of Rapino. A town committee was organized and has since received official recognition by the communal authorities. Initial goals focus on petitioning the commune of Teramo to upgrade the town's transportation links and recreational facilities. Secondary goals include establishing a website for the village, obtaining funds for restoration work on the Chiesa di San Stefano, establishing a high speed ADSL internet connection, and improving the village's sanitary services.