The birth of San Benedetto del Tronto presents a double facet, that is, its essentially modern structure and the innovations in every field could lead a tourist to think that this territory does not have deep roots in history: but this is not the case; the birth of San Benedetto del Tronto presents remarkable testimonies of a distant past. Like the old town of the Upper Town with the famous Tower, symbol of the city. But even in many recent works that dot the city there is a reflection of an ancient culture, one linked to the sea, which has always been the true hub of the inhabitants' lives.
The legend linked to the birth of San Benedetto del Tronto
To begin with, the birth of San Benedetto del Tronto is wrapped around the legend of the discovery of the remains of a Roman soldier named Benedict who refused to renounce his Christian faith. He was then executed and thrown into the sea. And, legend has it, his body was found by a farmer and placed in a closed area around which some huts initially arose. Then the first farmhouses that gave rise to the village of San Benedetto del Tronto.
History
Instead, according to archeology, the origin must be attributed to the Romans and the ancient city of Alba Picena, on the right bank of the Albula stream. In fact, the ancient name was San Benedetto in Albula, from the stream where the old parish church stood. Its origins are also connected to the Tronto River. The city of Truentum stood near the mouth of this river. Specifically, San Benedetto in Albula was damaged and restored several times (today Abbey of St. Benedict the Martyr). And right along the Albula stream was the area of first human settlement.
For centuries, San Benedetto del Tronto had the reputation of being a small village inhabited by people dedicated to working in the fields. Above all, it was a transit area, with all the devastation caused by the hordes of invaders. Furthermore, in 1240, Emperor Frederick II, nephew of the famous Barbarossa, stopped in the territory of San Benedetto. The emperor welcomed the city under his protection, which gained power and protection.
Wars to delimit borders after birth
But San Benedetto had to deal with the neighboring countries for the delimitation of its borders. To begin with, in May 1479 the Saracens and Turks had begun to invade the coast. In 1572, San Benedetto took over from the nearby village of Fermo the imposing Tower which, from above, watched over the sea, warning the population of the arrival of enemy fleets. Throughout the 600th century, war raged between the Greeks and the Lombards, and the devastation was enormous. Unfortunately, the history of the city is marked by many raids, as the Turks who captured sailors and took them into slavery. But they especially imprisoned young women to sell them in slave markets.
The birth of the incasato
Despite threats of demolition from Fermo, because they were not built according to a master plan, the buildings erected towards the marina increased. Thus began to arise some rudimentary warehouses, to store fishing tools. Only in 1703 did people start talking about a new house, that is, the houses built outside the old castle and in the marine area. The first urban planning intervention took place in 1763. And by 1850, many of the approximately 5.000 inhabitants lived outside the walls. Therefore proximity to the sea it was a great convenience: or it was fishermen or you did a job related to fishing or in any case to the sea, like the typical female one of the retara.
The development of the city
In the second half of the 800th century the village experienced many changes which led to the city we know today. The growth and development of San Benedetto del Tronto continued throughout the 900th century. Noteworthy, in 1931, is the construction of the suggestive seafront designed by engineer Luigi OnoratiFinally, the city was heavily damaged during the Second World War. In fact, it suffered 127 aerial bombardments and five naval ones. But its liberation dates back to June 18, 1944. The post-war period marked a vigorous recovery of activities: entrepreneurial initiatives flourished. But it is fishing to become the cornerstone of the local economy and in the 60s and 70s the city boasted one of the largest fishing ports in Italy. At the same time, another activity that would dominate the years following the Second World War underwent a tumultuous development: .
Thanks for the cover image: it.m.wikipedia.org
