Bugnara

Bugnara
Comune
Comune di Bugnara

Coat of arms
Bugnara

Location of Bugnara in Italy

Coordinates: 42°1′29″N 13°51′44″E / 42.02472°N 13.86222°E / 42.02472; 13.86222Coordinates: 42°1′29″N 13°51′44″E / 42.02472°N 13.86222°E / 42.02472; 13.86222
Country Italy
Region Abruzzo
Province L'Aquila (AQ)
Frazioni Torre dei Nolfi, Faiella, Paccucci, Stazione Anversa - Villalago Scanno
Area
  Total 25.80 km2 (9.96 sq mi)
Elevation 580 m (1,900 ft)
Population (31 December 2013)
  Total 1,147
  Density 44/km2 (120/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Bugnaresi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 67030
Dialing code 0864
Saint day 4 and 5 September
Website Official website

Bugnara is a comune and village of 1,147 people (2013) in the Province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. It is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy (i borghi piu' belli d'Italia), an association that notes small Italian towns of strong artistic and historical interest.

Geography

Coming from the direction of the beautiful gorge of the Sagittario river, Bugnara is the first village in the conch-shaped Peligna valley. It is on the ancient Samnite road which leads to Scanno and Villetta Barrea.

The village is between local hub Sulmona and the tourist destination of Scanno. Buses run from Scanno, past Bugnara, and on to Sulmona and Rome.

Bugnara is at the foot of Colle Rotondo, elevation 912 metres (2,992 ft) above sea level and Monte Genzana at more than 2,000 metres (6,600 ft), a ridge which runs from Scanno to Introdacqua. Trails lead up the mountain from Bugnara. Its territory goes up to the Sagittario river to the north. It overlooks the whole Peligna valley, with its buildings clustered around the Ducal Castle, known as the Castello Ducale or the Rocca dello Scorpione.

Bugnara is near the Gran Sasso d'Italia, which is the largest Italian mountain south of the Alps. Bugnara is also near Roccaraso, a popular ski resort. The most notable hamlet belonging to Bugnara is Torre dei Nolfi.

Name origins

Although no one knows for certain the origins of the name Bugnara, there are various hypotheses which derive the term from "Bonae Ara", indicating an altar dedicated to the good mother goddess Bona or Ceres. This is supported by the fact that a pagan temple once stood where the Madonna della Neve church now stands. Of the temple we can still see today Roman flooring in a herringbone pattern or Opus spicatum. A carving found at the site has decorations showing priestesses undertaking a rite.

Another hypothesis is that Bugnara comes from "Vignae Ara" thanks to the cultivation of vines around the village.

History

The earliest documented evidence of Bugnara dates to the 6th century, although archaeological finds show that the settlement was inhabited much earlier. In the year 1000AD the Madonna della Neve church was built. In 1079 the borgo (fortified settlement) became the fiefdom of Simone di Sangro. It remained with the Sangro family until the extinction of their line in 1759 with Vittoria Mariconda di Sangro. In the 11th century the ducal palace or Palazzo Ducale was built by the Sangro family. They also rebuilt the Madonna della Neve church in 1361. The Sangros' power spread into the neighbouring settlements of Anversa degli Abruzzi, Frattura, Chiarana, but they didn't succeed in holding these territories.

In 1442, a feudal tribute called the Regia Dogana della Mena delle Pecore di Foggia was imposed. This had a major impact on Bugnara, given that it was dependent on agriculture. In 1706, 1933 and 1984, Bugnara was hit by major earthquakes. In particular, the 1984 earthquake affected the village, and the historic churches of Bugnara were in accessible for a long time afterwards.

In 1891, a train line and station were built by Bugnara. The tall rail bridge over the Sagittario was blown up during World War II as it was seen as a link to Rome. The bridge was later reconstructed.

In 1974, an important historic and artistic artefact was rediscovered: the 13th century sculpture of the Virgin and Child called the Madonna delle Concanelle from the Madonna della Neve church. It is now conserved in the National Museum of Abruzzo which is housed in the Forte Spagnolo in L'Aquila.

Bugnara castle from above after the 2009 Abruzzo earthquake.

Urban layout

The village takes the triangular format typical of the Mediaeval period. The houses, built entirely in stone, were constructed one against the other. Narrow streets climb toward the top of the village, where the castle sits. Around the village are tratturi - pastoral routes for the migration of sheep between summer and winter pastures. These would have been heavily used in times gone by.

Buildings of artistic and historic importance

Churches

Civic and fortified buildings

Palaces:

Archaeological sites

Notable residents

Annibale de Gasparis (Bugnara, 1819 Napoli, 1892), astronomer

Village events

Called "Hearts under the stars," Romantica is an all-night celebration with various specialist drink and food stalls, dancing, live music, a catwalk show, floral displays, theatrical events and photo exhibitions. The best florists in the world compete to decorate the historic town centre of Bugnara setting the scene for a unique event.

A 'sagra' is a celebration of a special local product. They are common in the summer in Abruzzo. This event is dedicated to Bugnara's most archetypal product: Pecorino cheese - a hard, full-flavoured, sheep's milk cheese. Bugnara Pecorino is particularly special because it has its origins in rich mountain pastures where only certain herbs grow, giving it its flavour.

This event in the hamlet of Torre dei Nolfi (part of the territory of Bugnara) celebrates the shared customs of an agricultural community, re-enacting the ancient tradition of "trebbiatura" or threshing of the grain using antique tools of the pre-industrial era. There are food stalls with local specialities.

The aim of this pre-Christmas event is to collect money for a charity which is chosen each year. Every organisation, school and other body of Bugnara arranges a market stall with artigianal products or foods.

Demographic change

Bugnara's population (as collected in the census and reported by Istat) reached a peak of just over 3,000 between 1900 and 1930. However, the difficulty of life in the post-war era led to dramatic emigration in the 1950s and 1960s. Bugnara had reached its current population of just over 1,000 by the 1971 census.

See also

References

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