Sant'Angelo in Pontano
Encyclopedia
Sant'Angelo in Pontano is a comune
(municipality) in the Province of Macerata
in the Italian
region Marche
, located about 60 km south of Ancona
and about 25 km south of Macerata
.
It stands in pleasant position with a panoramic view over the adjacent valleys of Ete Morto river and Tenna river
, worshipped by the Lombards, whose image appears on the village coat of arms
; according to popular tradition, the last word derives from pantano meaning swamp
or marsh
, as it seems that in early times there was some marshland in the valley below the village.
More probably, the name comes from being Sant'Angelo located in the administrative district of the Gastaldato Pontano, estabilished by the Lombard
Duke of Spoleto.
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:...
(municipality) in the Province of Macerata
Province of Macerata
The Province of Macerata is a province in the Marche region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Macerata.It has an area of 2,774 km², and a total population of 301,701 . There are 57 comunes in the province, see Comunes of the Province of Macerata.-External links:*...
in the Italian
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...
region Marche
Marche
The population density in the region is below the national average. In 2008, it was 161.5 inhabitants per km2, compared to the national figure of 198.8. It is highest in the province of Ancona , and lowest in the province of Macerata...
, located about 60 km south of Ancona
Ancona
Ancona is a city and a seaport in the Marche region, in central Italy, with a population of 101,909 . Ancona is the capital of the province of Ancona and of the region....
and about 25 km south of Macerata
Macerata
Macerata is a city and comune in central Italy, the capital of the province of Macerata in the Marche region.The historical city center is located on a hill between the Chienti and Potenza rivers. It consisted of the Picenes city named Ricina, then, after the romanization, Recina and Helvia Recina...
.
It stands in pleasant position with a panoramic view over the adjacent valleys of Ete Morto river and Tenna river
Origins of the name
The first part of the name is a clear reference to Saint Michael ArchangelMichael (archangel)
Michael , Micha'el or Mîkhā'ēl; , Mikhaḗl; or Míchaël; , Mīkhā'īl) is an archangel in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic teachings. Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Lutherans refer to him as Saint Michael the Archangel and also simply as Saint Michael...
, worshipped by the Lombards, whose image appears on the village coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
; according to popular tradition, the last word derives from pantano meaning swamp
Swamp
A swamp is a wetland with some flooding of large areas of land by shallow bodies of water. A swamp generally has a large number of hammocks, or dry-land protrusions, covered by aquatic vegetation, or vegetation that tolerates periodical inundation. The two main types of swamp are "true" or swamp...
or marsh
Marsh
In geography, a marsh, or morass, is a type of wetland that is subject to frequent or continuous flood. Typically the water is shallow and features grasses, rushes, reeds, typhas, sedges, other herbaceous plants, and moss....
, as it seems that in early times there was some marshland in the valley below the village.
More probably, the name comes from being Sant'Angelo located in the administrative district of the Gastaldato Pontano, estabilished by the Lombard
Lombards
The Lombards , also referred to as Longobards, were a Germanic tribe of Scandinavian origin, who from 568 to 774 ruled a Kingdom in Italy...
Duke of Spoleto.
Main sights
- Collegiata del SS. Salvatore (early 12th century), in Romanesque-Gothic style. It has a nave and two aisles. The crypt is from the 14th century
- Church of San Michele, built over a former LombardLombardsThe Lombards , also referred to as Longobards, were a Germanic tribe of Scandinavian origin, who from 568 to 774 ruled a Kingdom in Italy...
chapel of which a basrelief remains today. - St. NicholasNicholas of TolentinoSaint Nicholas of Tolentino , known as the Patron of Holy Souls, was an Italian saint and mystic.-Biography:...
church (late 15th-18th century). Remarkable frescos and paintings (Cappellone) - Rocca (castle) of San Filippo (13th century), outside the town.
- Watchtower (known from 1397)