Longobard and Frankish Rules

The Longobard invasion (568 a.C.) fastly involved this territory that became an important junction point between the Dukedoms of Spoleto and Benevento. The toponymy points out an extraordinary variety of longobard toponyms around the Maiella: it deals with toponyms made of very typical elements like fara, sala, cafaggio and staffilo. The name of Caramanico could derive from “hariman” (free warrior) throught the adjective [h]arimannic. The confirmation of conspicuous longobard presence could be represented by the spread worship of Archangel San Michele (Holy Warrior chosen as patron by converted Longobards), several burial grounds and by the use, until the XVth Century, of jus Longobardorum among the inhabitants of inner Abruzzo.

At the ends of VIIIth Century the Frankish rule arised in addition to the Longobard one. Pippin conquered Chieti in 801 and joined it to the Dukedom of Spoleto, but the Frankish influence spread all over the place thanks to their monastic foundations. During the Longobard-Frankish Age were built two big Benedectines Abbeys: San Vincenzo al Volturno and San Clemente a Casauria. These religious institutions, jointly with Montecassino, represent the three main benchmarks all over the Maiella territory. San Vincenzo al Volturno, founded around 703 by Gisulfo Ist Duke of Benevento, is quite far from Southern ramification of Maiella, but it is on the slope that connects the Campania with the Abruzzo. San Clemente, founded in 872 by the Emperor Ludovico IInd, is very close to the Northern sides of massif, which include the road Tiburtina Valeria and that one coming from Amiterno and Sabina.

The thick network of abbeys, cloisters and retreats, built in this territory from IXth Century, are connected with the three Benedectines institutions mentioned above. The oldest foundations are: the Abbey of San Liberatore alla Maiella (Municipality of Serramonacesca), built in 772 under San Salvatore from Brescia, and in 883 under Montecassino. The Abbey of San Salvatore alla Maiella (Municipality of Rapino), built at the ends of Xth Century. A century later it hosted, as anchoret, the Abbot Desiderio from Montecassino who became Pope Vittore IIIrd. The retreat of Santo Spirito alla Maiella (Municipality of Roccamorice, built around 1000 a.C.), visited by Desiderio in 1053 and refuge of Cola di Rienzo. The small rocky church of Sant’Angelo in Vetuli, Sulmona. It is located on the road between Cansano and Pacentro. The Nunnery of Santo Spirito in Fara San Martino; the Retreat of San Nicola in Guado di Coccia, next to Palena and the Church of San Leopardo in Pacentro.