Allerona
Allerona | |
|---|---|
| Comune di Allerona | |
 View of Allerona | |
 Coat of arms | |
  Allerona Location of Allerona in Italy  Allerona Allerona (Umbria) | |
| Coordinates: 42°48′41″N 11°58′26″E / 42.811518°N 11.9738°E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Umbria |
| Province | Terni (TR) |
| Frazioni | Allerona Scalo |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Sauro Basili |
| Area | |
• Total | 82.61 km2 (31.90 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 472 m (1,549 ft) |
| Population (1 January 2025)[2] | |
• Total | 1,687 |
| • Density | 20.42/km2 (52.89/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Alleronesi |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 05010 |
| Dialing code | 0763 |
| Patron saint | St. Ansano |
| Saint day | December 1 |
| Website | Official website  |
Allerona (historically known as Lerona)[3] is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Terni in the Italian region Umbria, located about 50 km southwest of Perugia and about 60 km northwest of Terni. It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy").[4]
Etymology
The name Allerona derives from lerona or vallerona,[5] a term referring to the strawberry tree (arbutus unedo), which grew in the surrounding woods, particularly to the south of the town.[3]
History
The area was inhabited in antiquity by a settlement known as vicus Lerona, of Roman or pre-Roman origin, which was destroyed during the Germanic invasions.[5]
During the Roman period the territory was crossed by the Via Cassia and the Via Traiana Nova, forming part of the route between Rome and Chiusi. Remains of this road survive, including paved sections and two milestones.[5]
By the early Middle Ages, before the year 1000, a castle had been founded, serving as a fortress of Orvieto toward the north, in the direction of Chiusi. Control of the settlement was held by the Monaldeschi and later by the Filippeschi families. Elements of the medieval structure remain, including sections of the walls, the Porta Del Sole, the Porta Della Luna, and the urban layout.[5]
The military campaign of Charles VIII of France in Italy in 1494–1495 led to the sack and destruction of the territory of Orvieto, including the castle of Allerona.[5]
Municipal autonomy was established in 1585, when a statute was issued by Andrea Gavanni at the town hall of Orvieto.[5]
Allerona formed part of the Papal States in the early modern period. During the Napoleonic era it was included in the Department of Trasimeno. After the Restoration it was placed within the Delegation of Viterbo.[5]
In 1860 the town was occupied by the Cacciatori del Tevere under Luigi Masi and subsequently annexed to the Kingdom of Italy.[5]
In 1895 Allerona had a population of 1,486 inhabitants.[6]
On 28 January 1944, Allied bombing at Allerona struck a train carrying prisoners of war, causing over 400 casualties.[7][8][9]
Geography
Allerona is a small settlement situated between the Paglia River Valley and the Valdichiana, at an elevation of 472 metres (1,549 ft) above sea level. It lies about 19 kilometres (12 mi) from Orvieto and 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) west of Ficulle.[6]
Allerona retains ancient walls with remains of battlements. To the south of the settlement there were dense woods, including areas known as the Bandita del Monte and the Banditella.[3]
The climate is described as rather cold, with winds from the north and south prevailing. Nearby watercourses include the Rivalcale and the Rio Torto.[3]
The territory was distributed among four parishes: San Michele Arcangelo, the largest; Santa Maria della Stella; Sant'Abbondio; and San Pietro Aquae Ortus.[3]
The town consists of Allerona Alta, the hill town, and Allerona Scalo, the more populated town with a few bars, restaurants, grocers, and other services.
The land is a mix of sand and clay soils, representing an ancient coastline where fossilized seashells can be found dating back a million years in the ancient sand dunes. Along the river that meanders on the valley west of the Autostrada, is an ancient Roman road. The fog settles in the valley quite often, leaving the hilltop village visible at a distance.
Economy
In the late 19th century the surrounding territory produced wine, cereals, oil, acorns, and supported pasture. Industrial activity included the production of potash and bricks.[6] The presence of lignite within the territory also constituted a natural resource.[3]
The area is home to a few wine producers, in particular the brand Argilae, that has a tasting room in Allerona Scalo, and named for the distinctive clay soil of the area. The area supports olive oil producers as well.
Religion and culture
The principal church is the pieve of Santa Maria della Stella. The patron saint is Saint Ansanus, a Roman martyr, whose feast is celebrated on 1 December.[3]
Nearby sites
- Santa Maria Assunta, Allerona
- Villa Cahen and gardens in Selva di Meana
Notable people
Luigi Bellafronte of Allerona was noted as an improvisational poet.[3]
In 19th century sources, the Bernardini family is mentioned as the most prominent family of Allerona.[3]
References
- ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Resident population by age, sex and marital status on 1st January 2025". Istat. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Palmieri, Adone (1858). Topografia statistica dello Stato Pontificio. Vol. 4. Tipografia Forense. p. 158.
- ^ "Umbria" (in Italian). Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Comune di Allerona". Sistema Informativo Unificato per le Soprintendenze Archivistiche (in Italian). Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ a b c Strafforello, Gustavo (1895). La patria; geografia dell'Italia. Provincia di Perugia. Unione Tipografico-Editrice. p. 186.
- ^ Dethick, Janet Kinrade (21 September 2011). "The Bridge at Allerona - 28 January 1944". bombedpowtrain.weebly.com. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
- ^ The newly-captured prisoners at The Bridge at Allerona--the Camps
- ^ Origo, Iris War in Val d'Orcia: An Italian War Diary 1943-1944 Jonathan Cape, London, 1947, pp. 135-136
External links