Terni

TERNI

A city with prehistoric origins, as testify the remains of the Italic settlers on the edges of the fertile Terni plain where the picturesque Valnerina stretches out.

Very interesting, with reference to this, the findings preserved in the local archaeological Museum, displayed at Palazzo Manassei.

Flourishing Roman Municipium, a very important medieval city, today the life of Terni has decidedly modern rhythm and characteristics, that contrast with the evidence of its antique past: remains of the Fausto Amphitheater (32 A.D.), the 16^th century Palazzo Spada, attributed to Sangallo and now housing the Townhall, the church of Saint Francis (13^th cent.) and the Basilica of Saint Valentine, patron saint of the city, where the mortal remains of the Saint has preserved.

The productive activities, after the national Unification, have been developed making Terni the most important industrial city of central Italy in the steel, mechanical, electrical and chemical sectors, thanks to the great resources of water, which also characterize the natural surroundings.

At 6 Km from Terni, the impressive Marmore Waterfall a Roman hydraulic masterpiece of the III century, considered the most beautiful in Europe. The Nera River water that drops 165 meters, creates a violent spectacle, unique and unforgettable.

At 15 km the enchanting lake of Piediluco, blue and crystal, immersed in the greenery of the hills, offers every bathing and sporting possibility, fishing and canoeing.

Dominating the mirror of Piediluco, in a sweet smelling wood, Villalago, with an open-air theater, Robinson park and facilities for tourism.

Historical Knowledge.

Notwithstanding rests of italic installation found on the margin of its fertil plain, give Terni prehistoric origins, between the Nera and Serra rivers, presumably it becomes the name Internana Nahartium from the Sabinis, which means litterally 'placed between two rivers'. Found again by the Umbrians in 672 b.C., it was a big commercial centre until it was dominated by Rome in the Curio Dentato period. In 206 b.C. Terni was placed under (Jus Latii) which means 'Latin right'. Allied to Hannibale, it re-established relation with Rome in 205 b.C. Successively with the fall of the Roman empire, Terni was particularly exposed to barbarian invasions, because of its favourable position placed on the Flaminia road. Suffers destruction and plundering by the Goths of Totila in 546, by the Byzantines of Narsete in 554 and by the Longobardics in 755. Later in 1159, Federico Barbarossa gave the city in feud to cardinal Ottaviano Monticelli (antipope Vittore IV), who was acknowledged such by the population. The Ternanis paid dear for the insubordination; in fact the emperor, in 1174, sends the arcbishop Cristiano from Magonza who destroyed the city. Rebuild, Terni suffers an economic breakdown caused by a long siege of the troops of Federico II. In the XIII century it became a centre of transit of commerces of the Florentines with Abruzzo, recovers so a relative welfare (prosperity).