Castel Di Ieri
IL PAESE
Castel Di Ieri
is located in the Superequana Valley in Abruzzo, approximately 75 miles east and slightly north of Rome, and 30 miles south of L’Aquila. The landscape is dominated by a square medieval tower, a typical 14th century method of defense. It is situated adjacent to Mount Sirente to the north. The name of the town translates literally to "Castle of Yesterday", although history seems to indicate that the name was actually derived from Castel d’Ildegeri, also Hilderius, named for the Ildegeri family who once ruled there. The town was formed by exiled Roman citizens who were unable to attain riches for the Emperors. This was largely due to the fact that no resources were provided along with imperial orders to force conscription and provide slaves from the far corners of the Roman Empire. As a result, the founders, now enemies of Rome, built a walled fortress into a cliff, and were capable of repelling invasion until recent times. Ironically, today the town is considered fashionable among vacationing Romans seeking to escape the August heat.
THE CHURCH
The principal Church of the town is Santa Maria dell’Assunta, which dates back to 1555. Don Eugenio Zuech is the current pastor.
The patron saint of the town is San Donato, a Roman soldier who was martyred in 303 A.D. when the emperor Diocletian rejected his daughter’s Christianity. His remains were moved from the Catacombs of St. Ponzanio to Castel Di Ieri on Easter Sunday, 1753. His feast is celebrated on September 3rd, and he is said to have been responsible for a number of miracles. Erasmo DeAngelis of Castel Di Ieri was said to have given testimony to one of these instances in 1842.
TIME LINE
Ü
970, as it is recorded in the Casauriense Chronicle, the aristocrat Lupo de Ildegeri, Acto (one of his four children), and Alberto (one of his nephews), lived in the Superequana Valley with the title of notary.Ü
1112 in the record of Pasquale II and mentioned the church of St. Pius in the Castello Ildegeri.Ü
1150 the land is taken by the Normans.Ü
1183 the records of Lucio III mentioned the following churches: S. Maria, S. Salavatore, S. Barbato, S. Gregorio, S. Massimo, S. Guista, S. Silvestre and S.Maria in Pietrabona.Ü
1273 Castel Di Ieri is added to greater Abruzzo.Ü
1316 records of the new taxation of King Roberto shows that Riccardo of Castello di Ilderio for the sixth part of Castello di Ilderio.Ü
In 1439 finds the famous landowner Giovanni Simonetto of Castel Di Ieri in the service of Eugene IV with 600 horses. In the war between Ferdinando D'Aragona and the duke Giovanni D'Anjou, he served the former with a strong team of cavalry and died fighting in the battle of Sarno.Ü
In 1463 Castel Di Ieri becomes a feud of the Piccolomini.Ü
In 1484, as part of the County Celano, it continues to belong to the good Prince Antonio D'Aragona Piccolomini.Ü
In 1505, Antonio Piccolomini disappeared; the Countess d'Aragona Piccolomini, duchess of Amalfi takes over in his feudal possessions.Ü
In 1527 Castel di Ieri the records of Charles V notes 144 fires in the land of farms of Celano.Ü
In 1555 construction of the Church of Santa Maria dell’Assunta is begun.Ü
In 1622, Felice Aloisij Antonii, ancestor of Agata Aloisantoni, was a patron (Lord) in Castel Di Ieri.Ü
In 1633 the ruler of Castel di Ieri is the Prince of Gallicano, Pompeo Colonna.Ü
In 1656 feudal captain of the area is Domenico Antonio de Santis.Ü
In 1661 Castel di Ieri passes from the Prince of Gallicano to a royal tennant.Ü
In 1662 Maffeo Barberini, Prince of Palestrina, purchased the feud of Tornimparte from King Phillip III that stands between the neighboring areas of Castel di Ieri, already taken by the Regal Court following the disobedience, and then death of its holder, Pompeo Colonna.Ü
In 1752, onciario (census) lists Giacomantonio DeAngelis as Massaro in Castel Di Ieri, managing lands for the King.Ü
From 1914 through 1918, the sons of Castel di Ieri fight for both the United States and Italian Armies during World War I; Salvatore DeAngelis, brother of Rocco, is killed in the line of duty while serving in the Italian Army.Ü
In March 1944, Giuseppe Campomizzi and Giovanni Di Benedetto were executed by firing squad to avenge the death of a German soldier, a crime they did not commit; Di Benedetto was chosen at random, Campomizzi because he had possession of the dead man's leather belt. They are remembered in the Statue of the Martyr on the road to Goriano Sicoli.