Teggiano

Teggiano (formerly called Diano) is a town and comune in Campania, Italy, in the province of Salerno. It is situated on an isolated eminence above the upper part of the valley to which it gives the name of Vallo di Diano.
Among the historic centers of the Province of Salerno, Teggiano is certainly one that has best preserved its ancient appearance of the fortress and it is this aspect which is showed to those who reach the old town. The natural appearance of Roman Oppidum, still now remembered by the well preserved plan of the Cardo and of the Decumanus, was renewed in the Norman period and in the age of Frederick II of Hohenstaufen.

History

In the late 19th century Giacomo Racioppi attributed its foundation to Oscan-Sabellian tribes driven out from their lands as a result of the expansion of the Etruscan civilization. Lately they say Tegianum was built by Lucanians early in the 4th century BC, and later was a municipal town of Lucania, made into a colony by Emperor Nero.

During the Middle Ages that Diano had a predominant role in the history of the Vallo di Diano. In Norman times, the Sanseverino family, counts of Marsico and later princes of Salerno, took over the fief of Diano which was composed of the hamlets of Sassano, Monte San Giacomo, San Rufo, San Pietro al Tanagro and Sant'Arsenio. Teggiano was ruled by the Sanseverino for over three centuries (1239–1556). They chose the castle as a stronghold in which they could take shelter during emergencies. At that time Diano was well surrounded by high walls with 25 guard towers and four gates. In 1497, under Antonello Sanseverino of Salerno, the city resisted the siege undertaken by Frederick IV of Naples for 8 months. Following a new rebellion, led this time by Ferrante, last Prince of Salerno, in 1552 the Sanseverino family was expelled from the kingdom. Teggiano became a fief of other noble families including the Gomez da Silva, the Grimaldi, the Caracciolo, the Villani, the Colonna, the Calà and Schipani.

Teggiano (horse)

Teggiano (foaled 3 March 1997) was an Irish-bred, British-trained thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. In a racing career which lasted from July 1999 until July 2000 she won three of her six races. As a two-year-old she was one of the best fillies of her generation in Britain when she won three races including the May Hill Stakes and the Fillies' Mile. After a change of stable she made two appearances in the following year, producing the better of her efforts when finishing second in the Ribblesdale Stakes. She has had some success as a broodmare.

Background

Teggiano is a bay mare bred in Ireland by her owner Abdullah Saeed Belhab. Her sire Mujtahid raced only as a two-year-old in 1990 when he won three of his four races including the July Stakes and the Gimcrack Stakes. His other progeny included Bear King (Badener Meile), Mutakarrim (Sharp Novices' Hurdle), and Mubhij Cornwallis Stakes. Her dam, Tegwen won one minor race from five starts as a three-year-old in 1994. and was a great-granddaughter of the broodmare Beautiful Spirit, whose other descendants have included Silvano (Arlington Million) and Sabiango (Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap).