Grottaglie: history notes

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Grottaglie: history notes
The origins of Grottaglie, apulian hinterland cities tarantino, renowned for its traditional ceramics , rooted in ancient times.

According to authoritative sources the city was founded as Casalgrande in the sixth century, according to others in the X cent, certainly places were inhabited in prehistoric times, as evidenced by the numerous archaeological finds. Ravines of Riggio, fullers and San Biagio (or blade of Thought), with their caves, they were the natural scenery of the first rock dwellings. In 1297 the house Criptalearum, existing, joined the residents of nearby houses, to have more protection in case of war.

The ancient town developed and grew around the small church in 1379, under the government of Archbishop James Taranto, took the shape of the Collegiate. In about the fourteenth century, the country was surrounded by thick walls so that there could only be accessed through one of three ports: Port St. Angel north (demolished in 1868 for a misunderstanding spirit of renewal), Port Antonio to the south, Port St. George Castle or east. The boundary walls were, however, demolished after the unification of Italy. Always goes back to the fourteenth century building that Bishop's Castle , built in tuff zuppigno, covers a total area of 6150 square meters. The symbol of feudal power exercised by the archbishops of Taranto on the city for centuries and where the castle still belongs .

In 1480 the archbishops were deprived of criminal jurisdiction, from that moment will be exerted by various barons lay it over the succeeding centuries. On December 18, 1659, by application for Notary Public F. Aminta of Naples, the prince of Cursi G. BAPTIST CICINELLI bought, for the price of 30,000 ducats, the feud Grottaglie. He gave so begins a long hegemony, handed down from father to son, would last for 147 long years and that he would regret to Grottaglie previous lay barons.

In 1662 the serious tensions between clergy and feudal government in flowing blood with the murder of the brilliant young priest Grottaglie AFCARAGLIO, fierce opponent of the Prince of Cursi GBCicinelli and his nephew, the prince left beech.
To this century belongs the splendid figure of Saint Francesco De Geronimo to be canonised in 1839 and Giuseppe BATTISTA, poet Marino Grottaglie, a prominent figure in literary and poetic view of the '600.

In 1734 the Grottaglie, overburdened with taxes, rebelled against Cicinelli on duty, but the revolt was crushed within a few days and about 200 families were forced to leave the country.
Undisputed protagonist of the tragic events that took place at Grottaglie in the first decades of the 1800 Don Ciro Annicchiarico (Pope Ggiru) . Figure legendary charm ambiguous in his dual role as incompatible priest-brigand, did discuss them for generations.

In 1862 the contrast between the reactionaries and liberals filoborbonici culminated nell'assalto the gang of robber Cosimo Mazzeo San Marzano said PIZZICHICCHIO, in agreement with the reactionaries to upset the city hailed as a liberator. For actions that night were later arrested and sent back for trial 264 persons, including the mayor. The unity of Italy does not solve the problems of Grottaglie, as parts of southern post-unification, has had to deal with socio-political reality that was not prepared.
The installation of the airport military Arlotta M. "during World War I, will bring the city to grow rapidly, even today, is evolving. The rest is history today.

Cultural Association IL BAGATTO – Via Madonna Del Lume 43 – Grottaglie (Ta) – texts by Anna Montella
http://ilbagatto.weebly.com/ e-mail: ilbagatto2010@libero.it