A written (hi)story: an itinerary to discover epigraphs in Teramo's districts

Welcome!

If you are ready to immerse yourself in the history and art hidden among the districts of Teramo, this itinerary will take you through centuries of evidence written in stone. We will discover epigraphs that tell of the life, traditions and devotion of these places, in a journey that combines rural architecture, ancient churches and fascinating inscriptions that have resisted time.

Colleminuccio
We begin our journey from Colleminuccio, a small village that dates back to the 19th century but still preserves some precious traces of the 18th century, such as Palazzo Ruscitti. Walking through its streets, you will notice the typical houses with stables on the ground floor and dwellings on the upper floor. The stone walls, wooden lintels and wooden sticks in the niches near the entrances take us back to a time when horses were an integral part of daily life.

The Church of St. Lawrence the Martyr, rebuilt between the 18th and 19th centuries, houses a late 16th century painting by Dirk Hendricksz depicting St. John on Patmos. Another important work is the Altarpiece of the Immaculate Conception, in which the Virgin is depicted in an "urania" version, with her feet on the crescent moon and her left hand holding a crucifix resting on the celestial sphere.

Epigraphs:

• Church of San Lorenzo Martire: on the font, we find an inscription in capital script mixed with Gothic letters that reads: "IOAnO e ROb(?)e dal vescovo Vincenzo Montesanto SIMIONO".

 

Colle Santa Maria
The name of the small centre that one encounters as one proceeds in the search for the hidden epigraphs derives from the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, located on a hill in an isolated position. Rebuilt in the late 16th century, the church features river pebble masonry and a façade with a central oculus.

Inside, we find an early 17th century stone holy water font and a coeval painting depicting the Assumption of the Virgin.

Epigraphs:

• On the right façade of the church, two plaques: "SA(n)TAE - cross - MARIA/ A(nno)Domi)n(i) 01 1604 DE AgVSTO" and "1671". Here we can note some curiosities, such as the letters written in Gothic style and the date '10' reversed to '01'.
• A majolica in the wall bears the inscription: 'D(eo.) Optimo). Maximo)/ Hic clauduntur cineres/ Constantini Sbraccia...'.

 

Frondarola
Moving on to Frondarola, we find a village that stands on a short rise, preserving buildings dating from the 16th to the 19th century. The large stone walls, vaulted passageways and brick corbels take us back in time. Don't miss the 17th-century Church of Madonna delle Grazie and the Church of Santa Maria di Ponte a Porto, with its bridge remains and frescoes dating back to the 16th century.

Epigraphs:

• In Via San Giuseppe, a Roman funerary epigraph reads: "Caius.) TVLLIVS. Caii). L(ibertus) / LICINIA'.
• In the church of Santa Maria di Ponte a Porto, graffiti from 1545 and 1560 tell stories of the passage of soldiers from the new militia of Civitella.

 

Garrano
In Garrano, a mainly 19th-century settlement, you will find the church of Santa Maria ad Melatinum. This 17th century building, with its painted entrance porch, has a gilded wooden high altar and a statue of the Madonna and Child.

Epigraphs:

• On the porch ceiling, a tile bears the date "1662".
• On a brick in the rectory, we find the inscription "1849".

 

Pantaneto
Finally, we reach Pantaneto, where the Church of Santa Maria de Praediis surprises us with Roman columns and votive frescoes.

Epigraphs:

• The frame of the votive tabernacle with St Sebastian bears the inscription: 'These. figura. fece. fare. A(n)gelo. de. Canto. de. Pantaneto'.
• On a stone block, an inscription recalls the restoration of the church in 1597.

 

This itinerary led us to discover the districts of Teramo through their epigraphs, precious documents that tell us stories of devotion, art and everyday life. Every inscription, every fresco and every stone preserve traces of a past that continues to live and speak to those who know how to listen.

Enjoy your journey of discovery through Teramo!