Carsoli (Marsicano: Carsòi) is a town and comune in the province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo (central Italy). The ancient Roman city lies 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) southwest of the modern town.

Carsoli
Comune di Carsoli
Coat of arms of Carsoli
Location of Carsoli
Map
Carsoli is located in Italy
Carsoli
Carsoli
Location of Carsoli in Italy
Carsoli is located in Abruzzo
Carsoli
Carsoli
Carsoli (Abruzzo)
Coordinates: 42°06′N 13°05′E / 42.100°N 13.083°E / 42.100; 13.083
CountryItaly
RegionAbruzzo
ProvinceL'Aquila (AQ)
FrazioniColli di Montebove, Montesabinese, Pietrasecca, Poggio Cinolfo, Tufo Basso, Tufo di Carsoli, Villa Romana
Government
 • MayorVelia Nazzarro
Area
 • Total466 km2 (180 sq mi)
Elevation
714 m (2,343 ft)
Population
 (31 July 2017)[2]
 • Total5,312
 • Density11/km2 (30/sq mi)
DemonymCarsolani
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
67061
Dialing code0863
Patron saintSt. Victoria
Saint dayDecember 23
WebsiteOfficial website

History

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The ancient city, known as Carsioli (or Carseoli), was founded in the country of the Aequi between 302 and 298 BC, just after the establishment of Alba Fucens, no doubt as a stronghold to guard the road to the latter. It is mentioned in 211 BC as one of the 12 of 30 Latin colonies that protested their inability to furnish more men or money for the war against Hannibal. It is known that, in 168 BC, it was used as a place of confinement for political prisoners. It was sacked in the Social War, but probably became a municipium after it.[3] The 1st century agricultural writer Columella possessed estates there.[4]

The modern town of Carsoli first appears in a diploma of 866 AD, but the old site does not seem to have been abandoned until the 13th century.[3]

Main sights

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The line of the city walls (originally in tuff, and reconstructed in limestone), built of rectangular blocks, can still be seen. There are remains of several ancient buildings, including the podium or base, of a temple, and also the ancient branch road from the Via Valeria. The 43rd milestone of the Via Valeria still lies at or near its original site; it was set up by Nerva in 97 AD.[3]

Some 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) to the northwest of Carsoli are the remains of an ancient aqueduct consisting of a buttressed wall of concrete crossing a valley.[3]

Climate

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Climate data for Carsoli, elevation 592 m (1,942 ft), (1951–2000)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 9.5
(49.1)
10.1
(50.2)
12.7
(54.9)
15.7
(60.3)
20.2
(68.4)
24.1
(75.4)
27.9
(82.2)
28.4
(83.1)
24.4
(75.9)
19.5
(67.1)
14.2
(57.6)
10.5
(50.9)
18.1
(64.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 3.5
(38.3)
4.2
(39.6)
6.5
(43.7)
9.4
(48.9)
13.3
(55.9)
16.7
(62.1)
19.5
(67.1)
19.8
(67.6)
16.7
(62.1)
12.2
(54.0)
8.2
(46.8)
5.2
(41.4)
11.3
(52.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −2.4
(27.7)
−1.7
(28.9)
0.4
(32.7)
3.1
(37.6)
6.4
(43.5)
9.3
(48.7)
11.0
(51.8)
11.3
(52.3)
9.0
(48.2)
5.0
(41.0)
2.2
(36.0)
−0.2
(31.6)
4.5
(40.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 88.4
(3.48)
103.1
(4.06)
85.4
(3.36)
99.0
(3.90)
76.8
(3.02)
68.7
(2.70)
48.8
(1.92)
60.4
(2.38)
83.4
(3.28)
117.2
(4.61)
158.8
(6.25)
141.3
(5.56)
1,131.3
(44.52)
Average precipitation days 8.6 8.7 9.0 10.9 8.6 7.5 4.7 5.0 6.8 8.7 10.3 10.3 99.1
Source: Regione Abruzzo[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d Ashby 1911.
  4. ^ Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella (1745). L. Junius Moderatus Columella of Husbandry, in Twelve Books: and his book, concerning Trees. Translated into English, with illustrations from Pliny, Cato, Varro, Palladius and other ancient and modern authors. London: A. Millar. p. 130.
  5. ^ "VALORI MEDI CLIMATICI DAL 1951 AL 2000 NELLA REGIONE ABRUZZO" (PDF). Regione Abruzzo. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
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