Ceccano

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Ceccano
Comune di Ceccano
Coat of arms of Ceccano
Location of Ceccano
Map
Ceccano is located in Italy
Ceccano
Ceccano
Location of Ceccano in Italy
Ceccano is located in Lazio
Ceccano
Ceccano
Ceccano (Lazio)
Coordinates: 41°34′N 13°20′E / 41.567°N 13.333°E / 41.567; 13.333
CountryItaly
RegionLazio
ProvinceFrosinone (FR)
Government
 • MayorRoberto Caligiore
Area
 • Total61.06 km2 (23.58 sq mi)
Elevation
200 m (700 ft)
Population
 (31 October 2020)[2]
 • Total22,367
 • Density370/km2 (950/sq mi)
DemonymCeccanesi
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
03023
Dialing code0775
Patron saintSt. John the Baptist
Saint day24 June
WebsiteOfficial website

Ceccano is a town and comune in the province of Frosinone, Lazio, central Italy, in the Latin Valley.

History[edit]

The town had its origins as an ancient Volscian citadel that surrendered to the Romans in 330 BC (424 Ab Urbe Condita).[3] Its name in ancient times was Fabrateria Vetus.

According to tradition, the name was changed into the current one in the early Middle Ages. This was done in honor of one Petronius Ceccanus – father of Pope Honorius I. Conquered by the Lombards at the time of King Aistulf (c. 750), later it became an important fortress of the Papal territories. In 1218, a monk from nearby Fossanova Abbey compiled the Annals of Ceccano. From 900 to 1450, it was ruled by the local Counts of Ceccano – most likely of German origin; later their territories were assigned to Rodrigo Borgia by Pope Alexander VI and then to the Colonna family.

From 3 November 1943 and 31 May 1944, during World War II, the town suffered 38 air attacks from Allied forces despite having no strategical importance. During one of these air attacks, the Church of Santa Maria a Fiume – a national monument, was destroyed. Canadian Army war artist Charles Comfort painted the town as it appeared during the Second World War.

Main sights[edit]

  • Church of Santa Maria a Fiume (13th century), rebuilt on the original lines after the destruction in World War II
  • Church of San Nicola (12th century), including columns with inscriptions in Lombard style.
  • Castello dei Conti, a medieval castle overlooking the Sacco River Valley.

During excavations for the construction of the TAV high speed railroad, remains of a large Roman villa have been discovered.

Twin towns[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  3. ^ The History of Rome, Book II, Theodor Mommsen, (Kessinger Publishing, 2004), p. 112.