Villa Sant'Angelo explained

Villa Sant'Angelo
Official Name:Comune di Villa Sant'Angelo
Coordinates:42.2667°N 45°W
Region:Abruzzo
Province:L'Aquila (AQ)
Frazioni:Tussillo
Mayor:Pierluigi Biondi
Area Total Km2:5.26
Population Total:436
Population As Of:2007
Population Demonym:Villesi
Elevation M:570
Saint:Saint Peter
Day:May 4
Postal Code:67020
Area Code:0862

Villa Sant'Angelo is a comune and town in the province of L'Aquila, in the Abruzzo region of Italy, which lies in the Aterno River valley near the convergence of the Sirente and the Gran Sasso mountain ranges. Many of the municipal functions are managed cooperatively with adjacent villages, comprising the Comunità Montana Amiternina.

The adjacent frazione of Tussillo sits just west of the village on the base of Saint Peter's Mountain

History

Until recently, it was assumed that the origins of Villa Sant'Angelo dated back to the Middle Ages, however archaeological excavations have revealed the presence of buildings dating from Roman times. Ancient walls and portions of a necropolis (including tombs, terracotta and 4th Century bronze and silver coins) have been discovered in a series of digs conducted between 1986 and 2005.

In the early 20th century, numerous residents of Villa Sant'Angelo emigrated to the United States, beginning the decline of population from the peak of 1,027 recorded in the 1921 census. The communities of East Brady, Pennsylvania, and New Castle, Pennsylvania, in the United States absorbed many of these migrants.

At 3:32AM on the morning of April 6, 2009, a devastating earthquake hit central Italy, in particular Abruzzo.[1] Approximately 90% of the buildings in Villa Sant'Angelo were destroyed and 17 people were killed.

Notable residents

Transport

Villa Sant'Angelo has a stop on the Terni–Sulmona railway, with trains to L'Aquila and Sulmona.

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Italy quake kills at least 150, scores saved. 6 April 2009. news.yahoo.com. 2009-04-07.