Atessa
History Atessa is told to originate from the fusion of two centres, Ate and Tixe, which were divided in the past by a valley inhabited by a dragon. The bishop of Brindisi, San Leucio, killed the dragon combining the two towns in Atessa. In the church of San Leucio a bone of the dragon is held; it is actually a fossil fragment belonging to a prehistoric mammal. Of its pre-Roman origins there are only a few traces and archaeological findings. |
The town Of its past origins there are traces in the ogival portal of the church of S. Leucio (13th century), in the friary of S. Maria di Vallaspra (15th century) and in the doors of S. Margherita and S. Giuseppe (11th century). |
On the plain there are the modern towns of Montemarcone and Piazzano with the industrial area of Val di Sangro and the important factories of Sevel, Honda Italia and other companies. |
Events, tradition and cultrure In Summer the main events such as the jazz festival are perfomed. |
Anyway the activities carried out by the High schools and by the modern CODEMM, a European Association of Public Institutions and Universities, allow the performance of cultural events in this town also in winter time. |