Settefrati: a medieval village in the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park
The medieval village of Settefrati, located on a pre-Apennine mountain in the eastern Comino Valley within the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, is characterised by a circular layout and a high tower dominating the landscape. Built on the remains of an ancient pre-Roman settlement called “Vicus”, the village took its name from the Benedictine monks who wanted to honour the seven sons of Saint Felicita who were killed during the persecutions against the Christians in Rome in 164 AD.
The ancient Oscha and Umbra populations settled in the area that today constitutes the municipality. In particular, the Volsci, Aurunci, Equi and Samnites found the upper Comino Valley an ideal place to meet.
The cult of the goddess Mephitis and the religious centre in the Canneto Valley
The first historical era, between the 5th and 6th centuries BC, saw the cult of the goddess Mephitis and a religious centre at the source of the River Melfa, in the Canneto Valley, with a temple dedicated to the goddess. Recent discoveries have confirmed the existence of the temple.
The oldest settlement in the area that is now the historic centre was the city of Vicus, founded after the destruction of Cominium by the Romans in 293 BC. During Roman rule, the Canneto Valley remained a meeting place for the people of Alto Sangro and Lower Lazio, and an important religious centre, as evidenced by the continuing importance of the Sanctuary-Oracle of the Goddess Mephitis.
In the 5th century A.D., the name Vicus was changed to Settefrati (shortened from Sette Fratelli) and the temple at the source of the Melfa River changed from the pagan to the Christian cult of Our Lady of Canneto. Since then, it has remained an important religious centre for communities in the Lazio, Abruzzo, Molise and Campania regions.
The period of the Visigoths, Ostrogoths and Lombards, and the Saracen raids
After Roman domination, the territory was invaded by the Visigoths, ruled by the Ostrogoths and Longobards, and suffered numerous Saracen raids between 881 and 916. From the 4th century to the 12th century, the territory was a possession of the Abbey of San Vincenzo and the Abbey of Montecassino, under the influence and colonisation of Benedictine monks.
With the weakening of the power of the Benedictines, the territory of Settefrati was ruled by various feudal families during the successive Norman, Swabian, Angevin and Kingdom of Sicily dominions. This period is associated with most of the remains of the fortifications still standing on the Settefrati rock.
The destruction of Settefrati: the earthquake of 1654 and the plague of 1656
In the 15th century, the centre of Settefrati was plundered and destroyed by Aragonese militias.
In 1654, a devastating earthquake destroyed much of the town, which was then temporarily abandoned due to the plague of 1656.
Most of today's buildings date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, but many buildings still retain their original structures and medieval architectural details. In addition, there are remnants of bastions and a tower from the 12th-13th centuries, as well as remains of earlier masonry, which may be pre-Roman.
During the period of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, the territory was governed by a feudal system that hindered agricultural development. The poor conditions of the peasants also favoured the spread of banditry until the beginning of the 20th century.
