
Terni ( , ; lat, Interamna (Nahars)) is a city in the southern portion of the region of
Umbria
it, Umbro (man) it, Umbra (woman)
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in central Italy. It is near the border with
Lazio
it, Laziale
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. The city is the capital of the
province of Terni
The Province of Terni ( it, Provincia di Terni) is the smaller of the two provinces in the Umbria region of Italy, comprising one-third of both the area and population of the region. Its capital is the city of Terni. The province came into bein ...
, located in the plain of the
Nera river. It is northeast of
Rome
, established_title = Founded
, established_date = 753 BC
, founder = King Romulus ( legendary)
, image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg
, map_caption ...
and 81 km south of the regional capital,
Perugia
Perugia (, , ; lat, Perusia) is the capital city of Umbria in central Italy, crossed by the River Tiber, and of the province of Perugia.
The city is located about north of Rome and southeast of Florence. It covers a high hilltop and par ...
.
The Latin name means "between-two-rivers", in reference to its location on the confluence of the
Nera river (
Ancient Umbrian ''Nahar'', lat, Nār, Nahar) and the Serra stream. When disambiguation was needed, it was referred to as ''Interamna Nahars''. Its inhabitants were known in Latin as ''Interamnātēs Na(ha)rtēs''.
Interamna was founded as an Ancient Roman town, albeit settlements in the Terni area well precede this occurrence. During the 19th century, steel mills were introduced and led the city to have a role in the
second industrial revolution
The Second Industrial Revolution, also known as the Technological Revolution, was a phase of rapid scientific discovery, standardization, mass production and industrialization from the late 19th century into the early 20th century. The Fi ...
in Italy. Because of its industrial importance, the city was heavily bombed during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...
by the
Allies. It remains an industrial hub and has been nicknamed "The Steel City".
Terni is also known as the "City of Lovers", as its patron saint,
Saint Valentine
Saint Valentine ( it, San Valentino; la, Valentinus) was a 3rd-century Roman saint, commemorated in Western Christianity on February 14 and in Eastern Orthodoxy on July 6. From the High Middle Ages, his Saints' Day has been associated with a ...
, was born and became a bishop here, and the remains are preserved in the basilica-sanctuary in his honour.
History
The city was founded around the 7th century BC by the
Umbrians
The Umbri were an Italic people of ancient Italy. A region called Umbria still exists and is now occupied by Italian speakers. It is somewhat smaller than the ancient Umbria.
Most ancient Umbrian cities were settled in the 9th-4th centuries BC ...
''Nahartes'', in a territory inhabited (as testified by archaeological excavations) as early as the
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a historic period, lasting approximately from 3300 BC to 1200 BC, characterized by the use of bronze, the presence of writing in some areas, and other early features of urban civilization. The Bronze Age is the second pri ...
. The
Iguvine Tablets
The Iguvine Tablets, also known as the Eugubian Tablets or Eugubine Tables, are a series of seven bronze tablets from ancient Iguvium (modern Gubbio), Italy, written in the ancient Italic language Umbrian language, Umbrian. The earliest tablets, w ...
describe these ''Nahartes'' as a strong, numerous people and as the most important enemy of the Umbrian people of
Gubbio
Gubbio () is an Italian town and ''comune'' in the far northeastern part of the Italian province of Perugia ( Umbria). It is located on the lowest slope of Mt. Ingino, a small mountain of the Apennines.
History
The city's origins are very ancie ...
(Iguvium). In the 3rd century BC, Terni was conquered by the
Romans and soon became an important ''municipium'' lying on the
Via Flaminia
The Via Flaminia or Flaminian Way was an ancient Roman road leading from Rome over the Apennine Mountains to ''Ariminum'' ( Rimini) on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, and due to the ruggedness of the mountains was the major option the Romans ha ...
and known under the name ''Interamna'', meaning "between-two-rivers".
In 271 BC the Roman consul Manius Curius Dentatus ordered the construction of a canal (the Curiano Trench) to divert the water from the marshes in the Rieti Valley and from Lake Velino over the natural cliff at
Marmore
The Cascata delle Marmore () or Marmore Falls is a man-made waterfall created by the ancient Romans. Its total height is 165 m (541 feet), making it the tallest man-made waterfall in the world.
It is located 7.7 km from Terni, a prov ...
, creating the waterfall. This caused flooding in the valley around Terni below. For a long time this became the cause of interminable quarrels between the cities of Rieti and Terni. The issue was so contentious between the two cities that the Roman Senate was forced to address it in 54 BC.
Aulus Pompeius represented Terni, and
Cicero
Marcus Tullius Cicero ( ; ; 3 January 106 BC – 7 December 43 BC) was a Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, philosopher, and academic skeptic, who tried to uphold optimate principles during the political crises that led to the est ...
represented Rieti. The Senate did nothing about the problem, and the problem remained the same for centuries.
After the
Lombard conquest in 755 Terni lost prominence when it was reduced to a secondary town in the
Duchy of Spoleto
The Duchy of Spoleto (, ) was a Lombard territory founded about 570 in central Italy by the Lombard '' dux'' Faroald. Its capital was the city of Spoleto.
Lombards
The Lombards had invaded Italy in 568 AD and conquered much of it, establish ...
. In 1174 it was sacked by
Frederick Barbarossa
Frederick Barbarossa (December 1122 – 10 June 1190), also known as Frederick I (german: link=no, Friedrich I, it, Federico I), was the Holy Roman Emperor from 1155 until his death 35 years later. He was elected King of Germany in Frankfurt ...
's general,
Archbishop Christian of Mainz. In the following century Terni was one of sites visited frequently by
St. Francis to give sermons.
In the 14th century Terni issued its own constitution, and from 1353 the walls were enlarged, and new channels were opened. As with many of the Italian communes of the Late Middle Ages, it was beset by civil unrest between the partisans of the
Guelphs and Ghibellines
The Guelphs and Ghibellines (, , ; it, guelfi e ghibellini ) were factions supporting the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor, respectively, in the Italian city-states of Central Italy and Northern Italy.
During the 12th and 13th centuries, riv ...
, and later between the ''Nobili'' and ''Banderari'' (Terni's bourgeoisie). Later it joined the
Papal States
The Papal States ( ; it, Stato Pontificio, ), officially the State of the Church ( it, Stato della Chiesa, ; la, Status Ecclesiasticus;), were a series of territories in the Italian Peninsula under the direct Sovereignty, sovereign rule of ...
. In 1580 an
ironwork
Ironwork is any weapon, artwork, utensil, or architectural feature made of iron, especially one used for decoration. There are two main types of ironwork: wrought iron and cast iron. While the use of iron dates as far back as 4000BC, it was th ...
, the Ferriera, was introduced to work the iron ore mined in
Monteleone di Spoleto, starting the traditional industrial connotation of the city. In the 17th century, however, the population of Terni declined further due to plagues and famines.
In the 19th century, Terni took advantage of the
Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was the transition to new manufacturing processes in Great Britain, continental Europe, and the United States, that occurred during the period from around 1760 to about 1820–1840. This transition included going f ...
and of plentiful water sources in the area. New industries included a steelwork, a foundry, as well as weapons,
jute
Jute is a long, soft, shiny bast fiber that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. It is produced from flowering plants in the genus ''Corchorus'', which is in the mallow family Malvaceae. The primary source of the fiber is ''Corchorus olit ...
and wool factories. In 1927 Terni became capital of the province.
The presence of important industries made the city a favorite target for the Allied bombardments in
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...
. On August 11, 1943, a raid by 44 USAAF bombers, which dropped 213 tons of bombs, devastated the city, killing 564 people. It was the first of the 57 air strikes that destroyed or damaged 40% of Terni's buildings and killed 1,018 civilians. Despite this, industrial environment increased quickly after the war.
Economy
The city has three important industrial hubs: the first one is the
Stainless Steel Area, called AST (part of the group
ThyssenKrupp
ThyssenKrupp AG (, ; stylized as thyssenkrupp) is a German industrial engineering and steel production multinational conglomerate. It is the result of the 1999 merger of Thyssen AG and Krupp and has its operational headquarters in Duisburg and ...
) and is a wide area located in the east part of Terni. West of the town, there is a second industrial hub, known as "Area Polymer", with four different chemical multinational industries. The third industrial hub is Italeaf, which controls TerniEnergia, a company listed on STAR segment of Borsa Italiana, that is active in the renewable energy sector, and promotes and develops technological start-ups in the
cleantech
Clean technology, in short cleantech, is any process, product, or service that reduces negative environmental impacts through significant energy efficiency improvements, the sustainable use of resources, or environmental protection activities. Cl ...
sector.
Transport
Terni is connected with the
A1 motorway, the
European route E45
The European route E45 goes between Norway and Italy, through Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany and Austria. With a length of about , it is the longest north–south European route (some east–west routes are longer).
The route passes throug ...
and
National Road Flaminia by the ''RATO'', a motorway junction.
Terni railway station
Terni railway station ( it, Stazione di Terni) serves the town and ''comune'' of Terni, in the region of Umbria, central Italy. Opened in 1866, it forms part of the Ancona–Orte railway, and is also a junction station for two secondary lines, t ...
is part of the
Ancona–Orte railway, and is also a
junction station ''Junction station'' usually refers to a railway station situated on or close to a junction where lines to several destinations diverge. The usual minimum is three incoming lines. At a station with platforms running from left to right, the minimum ...
for two secondary lines, the
Terni–Sulmona railway
The Terni–Sulmona railway is a regional railway line in central Italy, managed by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana. It links three regions, Umbria, Lazio and Abruzzo, and three provincial capitals: Terni, Rieti and L'Aquila. Together with the Sulmo ...
(which links Terni with
L'Aquila
L'Aquila ( , ) is a city and ''comune'' in central Italy. It is the capital city of both the Abruzzo region and of the Province of L'Aquila. , it has a population of 70,967 inhabitants. Laid out within medieval walls on a hill in the wide vall ...
) and the Terni–Sansepolcro railway (''FCU'') (which serves
Perugia
Perugia (, , ; lat, Perusia) is the capital city of Umbria in central Italy, crossed by the River Tiber, and of the province of Perugia.
The city is located about north of Rome and southeast of Florence. It covers a high hilltop and par ...
). One of the most important national freight stations is located nearby.
The local urban and suburban transport service, ATC, runs 90 bus lines. In the north of the city (Colleluna zone), there are works in progress on the line from Perugia to enable it to be used as a
Light rail line.
Government
Main sights
* Roman amphitheater, once capable of 10,000 spectators, built in 32 BC.
* ''Porta Sant'Angelo'', one of the four Ancient Roman Gates to the city, much restored.
*
Terni Cathedral (''Duomo'', ''Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta'') (17th century). Built over one of the most ancient Christian edifices of the city, it has today
Baroque lines. In the interior is one organ designed by
Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Gian Lorenzo (or Gianlorenzo) Bernini (, , ; Italian Giovanni Lorenzo; 7 December 159828 November 1680) was an Italian sculptor and architect. While a major figure in the world of architecture, he was more prominently the leading sculptor of his ...
. The belfry is from the 18th century. The façade has two mediaeval gates: one of them has the profile of a sabot once used to measure the citizen's shoes in order to ensure that they did not exceed a fixed limit of decency.
* ''
San Francesco'' – 13th-century church
* The Basilica of ''S. Valentino''.
* ''Palazzo Mazzancolli'' is one of the few remains of the Middle Ages past of the city.
* ''Palazzo Gazzoli'' (18th century), housing the City's Gallery with works by Pierfrancesco d'Amelia,
Benozzo Gozzoli
Benozzo Gozzoli (4 October 1497) was an Italian Renaissance painter from Florence. A pupil of Fra Angelico, Gozzoli is best known for a series of murals in the Magi Chapel of the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, depicting festive, vibrant processions ...
, Gerolamo Troppa and
Orneore Metelli
Orneore Metelli (1872-1938) was an Italian painter of the ''Naïve art'' style in his native Umbria.
Biography
He began painting at the age of 50 without any prior formal training. He had once been a trombonist for a band in his native Terni. He ...
.
* ''
Palazzo Spada
The Palazzo Spada is a palace located on Piazza di Capo Ferro #13 in the rione Regola of Rome, Italy. Standing very close to the Palazzo Farnese, it has a garden facing towards the Tiber river.
The palace accommodates a large art collection, th ...
'' (16th century), designed by
Antonio da Sangallo the Younger
250px, A model of the Apostolic Palace, which was the main project of Bramante during Sangallo's apprenticeship.
250px, The church of Santa Maria di Loreto near the 250px">The 250px, 250px, View of St. Patrick's Well in Orvieto.
Antonio da ...
. It is the current Town Hall.
* ''Lancia di Luce'' ("Lance of Light"), by the
sculptor
Sculpture is the branch of the visual arts that operates in three dimensions. Sculpture is the three-dimensional art work which is physically presented in the dimensions of height, width and depth. It is one of the plastic arts. Durable ...
Arnaldo Pomodoro
Arnaldo Pomodoro (born 23 June 1926) is an Italian sculptor. He was born in Morciano, Romagna, and lives and works in Milan. His brother, Giò Pomodoro (1930–2002) was also a sculptor.
Pomodoro designed a controversial fiberglass crucifix f ...
.
* The Romanesque churches:
** ''
Sant'Alò'' (11th century).
** ''San Martino''.
** ''
San Salvatore''.
Nearby, at the confluence of the
Velino
The Velino is a river in central Italy, a tributary of the Nera. Its source is located on Monte Pozzoni's slopes (1,903 m) near Cittareale. Aftwards it runs through a narrow valley next the Mount Terminillo, known as "Gole del Vento" ("Wind ...
and
Nera Rivers, is the
Cascata delle Marmore
The Cascata delle Marmore () or Marmore Falls is a man-made waterfall created by the ancient Romans. Its total height is 165 m (541 feet), making it the tallest man-made waterfall in the world.
It is located 7.7 km from Terni, a pro ...
, a waterfall.
Sport
Ternana Calcio
Ternana Calcio, commonly referred to as Ternana, is an Italian football club based in Terni, Umbria.
The club was founded in 1925 and refounded in 1993. In its history, Ternana has twice played in Serie A (in the 1972–73 and 1974–75 seas ...
is the main football club in the city. The club have twice played in Italy's first division
Serie A
The Serie A (), also called Serie A TIM for national sponsorship with TIM, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and the winner is awarded the Scudetto and the Copp ...
(seasons
1972–1973 and
1974–1975). Ternana is currently playing in
Serie B
The Serie B (), currently named Serie BKT for sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie A. It has been operating for over ninety years since the 1929–30 season. It had been ...
(
season 2021–2022). The club play at the 22,000-seat
Stadio Libero Liberati
The Stadio Libero Liberati is a multi-use stadium in Terni, Italy. It is currently used mostly for football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ' ...
, named after Italian motorcycle racer
Libero Liberati, who was born in Terni, won the
500cc World Championship in 1957, and died while he was training with his Gilera Saturno along the Valnerina road near Terni.
Notable natives
Historical
* House of Castelli First important family native of Terni of Germanic lineage. In the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque and 18th century was an active family both in their city than in others.
* House of Spada Central Italy's very important family, native of Terni. In middle age, Renaissance, Baroque and 18th century was an active family both in their city than in others.
* House of Camporeali Terni's very important family. In the Middle Ages and Renaissance was an active family both in their city than in others.
* House of Cittadini Central Italy's very important family, native of Terni, of Germanic lineage. In the Middle Ages and Renaissance was an active family both in their city than in others.
* House of Manassei Central Italy's very important family, native of Terni, of Germanic lineage. In the Middle Ages and Renaissance was an active family both in their city than in others.
* House of Mazzancolli Terni's very important family. In the Renaissance, Baroque and 18th century was an active family both in their city than in others.
* House of Tomassoni Terni's very important family. In the Renaissance, Baroque and 18th century was an active family both in their city than in others.
* House of Ciancherotti Terni's very important family. In the Renaissance, Baroque and 18th century was an active family both in their city than in others.
* House of Nicoletti Terni's very important family. In the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque and 18th century was an active family both in their city than in others.
* Andrea Castelli da Terni (14th-15th century), condottiere and hero of the city-state of Terni, he was also a podestà and a politician.
* Alessandro and Lucantonio Tomassoni da Terni (16th century), condottiere brothers.
* Anastasio and Stefano Ciancherotti da Terni (16th-17th century), condottiere brothers.
* Blessed brother Barnaba Manassei (15th century) His greater fame's title is to have set up the order of Monti di Pietà to remedy the disastrous wear that impoverished families and city-states.
* Aminale Lodovico, a militar and adventurer who fought with other twelve Italian knights in the
Challenge of Barletta
The Challenge of Barletta ( Italian: ''Disfida di Barletta'') was a duel fought in the countryside of Trani, near Barletta, southern Italy, on 13 February 1503, during the Third Italian War, on the plains between Corato and Andria.
Overview
Th ...
(1503) against the French.
* Sir Cittadini (the Dragon Slayer), legendary hero of the city of Terni. He is the one who will free his city from the slavery of a dragon of the swamps.
*
Saint Valentine
Saint Valentine ( it, San Valentino; la, Valentinus) was a 3rd-century Roman saint, commemorated in Western Christianity on February 14 and in Eastern Orthodoxy on July 6. From the High Middle Ages, his Saints' Day has been associated with a ...
, bishop and martyred saint
*
Saints Berardo, Ottone, Pietro, Accursio and Adiuto, Franciscans protomartyrs.
Notable
*
Francesco Angeloni, historian, art collector and writer of ''Historia di Terni''.
*
Baconin Borzacchini, Grand Prix motor racing driver.
*
Giulio Briccialdi
Giulio Briccialdi (1/2 March 1818 – 17 December 1881) was an Italian virtuoso flautist and composer, a technical innovator on his instrument and a professor of music.
Briccialdi was born in Terni. His contributions include inventing the B- ...
, composer and flautist.
*
Alessandro Casagrande, composer and pianist.
*
Aurelio De Felice, sculptor.
*
Alessio Foconi, fencer
*
Alvaro Leonardi
'' Tenente colonnello'' Alvaro Leonardi (16 November 1895 – 1 January 1955) was a World War I '' Sottotenente'' from Italy and a flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.
Early life and service
Alvaro Leonardi was born in Terni, Kingdom ...
, military aviator, highly decorated with the
Silver Medal of Military Valor
The Silver Medal of Military Valor ( it, Medaglia d'argento al valor militare) is an Italian medal for gallantry.
Italian medals for valor were first instituted by Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia on 21 May 1793, with a gold medal, and, below it, ...
and with a
War Merit Cross
The War Merit Cross (german: Kriegsverdienstkreuz) was a state decoration of Nazi Germany during World War II. By the end of the conflict it was issued in four degrees and had an equivalent civil award. A " de-Nazified" version of the War Mer ...
. Ace fighter, is credited with eight knockdowns during the First World War.
*
Libero Liberati,
500 cc motorcycle racer, nicknamed "The Steel Knight" (''Il Cavaliere d'Acciaio''), 1957 500cc Grand Prix World Champion.
*
Fabio Lucioni
Fabio Lucioni (born 25 September 1987) is an Italian footballer who plays as a defender for Serie B club Frosinone on loan from Lecce.
Career Ternana, loans and Gela
Born in Terni, Umbria, Lucioni started his career at hometown club Ternana. In ...
, football player
*
Alessandro Manni
Alessandro Manni (born 16 February 1974) is a retired Italian footballer who played as a midfielder.
He played 1 game in the Serie A in the 1995/96 season for Udinese Calcio.
See also
*Football in Italy
*List of football clubs in Italy
This ...
, retired football player
* Stefano Micheli, musician (
My Mine)
*
Elia Rossi Passavanti political and military, then mayor of the city of Terni, and local historian, one of only two Italians to be decorated with the
Medal of Military Valor
The Medal of Military Valor ( Italian language: ''Medaglia al valor militare'') is an Italian medal, originally established as a Sardinian award. It is awarded to military personnel, units above the level of company, and civilians for except ...
in both the First and Second World Wars.
* Ettore Patrizi, publisher, ''L'Italia''
*
Danilo Petrucci
Danilo Carlo Petrucci (born 24 October 1990) is an Italian Grand Prix motorcycle racer who has competed in the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship with Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York. After losing his KTM ride in MotoGP at the end of the ...
,
Moto GP
Grand Prix motorcycle racing is the premier class of motorcycle road racing events held on road circuits sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). Independent motorcycle racing events have been held since the start of ...
racer
*
Claudio Petruccioli, politician and journalist
*
Oreste Scalzone, political activist, founder of
Potere Operaio
Potere Operaio ("Workers' Power") was a radical left-wing Italian political group, active between 1967 and 1973. (It shouldn't be confused with "Potere Operaio Pisano" which was one of the components of a competing revolutionary group, Lotta Cont ...
*
Gaius Cornelius Tacitus
Publius Cornelius Tacitus, known simply as Tacitus ( , ; – ), was a Roman historian and politician. Tacitus is widely regarded as one of the greatest Roman historians by modern scholars.
The surviving portions of his two major works—the ...
, Roman historian
*
Marcus Claudius Tacitus
Marcus Claudius Tacitus (; died June 276) was Roman emperor from 275 to 276. During his short reign he campaigned against the Goths and the Heruli, for which he received the title ''Gothicus Maximus''.
Early life
His early life is largely u ...
, Roman emperor
*
Paolo Tagliavento, international football referee
*
Sara Tommasi, actress
*
Riccardo Zampagna, football player
*
Lorela Cubaj
Lorela Cubaj (born January 8, 1999) is an Italian professional basketball player, who play currently in Umana Reyer Venezia at the Lega Basket Femminile. She played college basketball at Georgia Tech. She was drafted by the Seattle Storm in the ...
,
WNBA player
International relations
Twin towns – sister cities
Terni is
twinned
Twinning (making a twin of) may refer to:
* In biology and agriculture, producing two offspring (i.e., twins) at a time, or having a tendency to do so;
* Twin towns and sister cities, towns and cities involved in town twinning
* Twinning inst ...
with:
*
Cartagena, Spain
*
Dunaújváros
Dunaújváros (; also known by other alternative names) is an industrial city in Fejér County, Central Hungary. It is a city with county rights. Situated 70 kilometres (43 miles) south of Budapest on the Danube, the city is best known for its ...
, Hungary
*
Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine
Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine (, literally ''Saint-Ouen on Seine'') is a commune in the Seine-Saint-Denis department in the Île-de-France region of France. It is located in the northern suburbs of Paris, from the centre of Paris. The commune was ca ...
, France
References
External links
Official websiteTerni city portalTerni Oggi
{{Authority control
Roman sites of Umbria
Baroque architecture in Umbria
Cities and towns in Umbria