Montefino

Montefino is a small town and predominantly rural comune of the province of Teramo in the Abruzzo region of eastern Italy. During the second half of the twentieth century the population of the comune declined steadily from 2,399 in 1951 to 1,184—less than half—in 2001.

The town is situated on a hill of some 375 metres (1,230 ft) overlooking the Fino valley where olives and grain are the major crops. Until the 19th century Montefino was called Montesecco (Latin Mons Siccus) meaning "dry mountain" and referring to a site lacking in springs. In 1863, however, it adopted its current name which refers to the river Fino.

History

The area around Montefino belonged in antiquity to the territory of the Adriatic Sabini, and later to that of the Roman colonia Hatria Picena, modern Atri. Little is known, however, of any settlement here until around 1150, with the mention of a castellum Montis Sicci with around 65 inhabitants belonging to the County of Penne.

In 1454 Mons Siccus become a fief of the Acquaviva of Atri who restored the defensive walls of the town and constructed a new castle. By 1506 the town had come into the possession of the bishops of Teramo.