San Benedetto del Tronto

San Benedetto del Tronto
San Benedetto del Tronto
	— Comune —
Città di San Benedetto del Tronto
	Part of the old town in San Benedetto del Tronto
	; Coat of arms
	; Coat of arms
	San Benedetto del Tronto Location of San Benedetto del Tronto in Italy
	Coordinates: 42°57′N 13°53′E / 42.95°N 13.883°ECoordinates: 42°57′N 13°53′E / 42.95°N 13.883°E
Country	Italy
Region	Marche
Province	Ascoli Piceno (AP)
	Government
• Mayor	Giovanni Gaspari
	Area
• Total	25 km2 (10 sq mi)
Elevation	7 m (23 ft)
	Population
• Total	48,700
• Density	1,900/km2 (5,000/sq mi)
Demonym	Sambenedettesi
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	63074, 63037
Dialing code	0735
Patron saint	St. Benedict the Martyr
Website	Official website

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San Benedetto del Tronto is a city and comune in Marche, Italy, in the province of Ascoli Piceno. It lies on the Adriatic Sea. San Benedetto del Tronto is an important little town on the Marche coast, an active fishing port and one of the main seaside resorts on the central Adriatic coast. Located at the mouth of the river Albula, its territory extends from the river Tesino to the north to the river Tronto to the south. Its main feature is a long beach of fine white sand which gently slopes into the sea. The shallow water is particularly suitable to children and the elderly.

[edit] Overview

The Blue Flag is an exclusive eco-label awarded to beaches and marinas in 21 countries across Europe. The Blue Flag is a symbol of high environmental standards as well as good sanitary and safety facilities at the beach/marina. The "Riviera della Palme" has been awarded a Blue Flag each year since 1998.

The round fountain in Giorgini Sq - pedestrian zone.

With around 50,000 inhabitants it is the second most populous city in the province.

[edit] History

The history of San Benedetto del Tronto is tied to the life of the martyr of the same name that is said to have been a soldier born in Cupra at the time of the Roman emperor Diocletian. Shortly thereafter, following the edict of Constantine in 313 AD, some believers built a chapel around the tomb. Since then, St. Benedict has always been venerated and invoked, for headache, not only locals but also those of the surrounding area. He later built a small church, contained in size, oriented with the apse facing east and the west entrance. According to early Christian tradition it is the east where the sun rises and the sun rises is one of the figures of Christ resurrected. Historians argue, however, that some archaeological findings testify to the Roman origins linked to the ancient city of Alba Picena on the right bank Albula.

The first document contains the name of the village dates back to 998: it is an act concerning the investiture of the benefit of SS. Vincent and Anastasius in the territory of Acquaviva Piceno, by Hubert, bishop of Fermo. This precious document speaks of "Pede sive terra et silva Sancti Benedicti", undoubtedly referring to the territory of the city. In 1145 as a feud goes to Bernardo and Azzo, sons of Walter from Naples; in 1211 the Emperor Otto IV grants Fermo taking the territories ranging from the river Tronto River to Potenza river. In 1245, Emperor Frederick II grants Ascoli Piceno a stretch of coast between the Ragnola river and Tronto river to build a fortified port. During these years there were a long series of excesses between Ascoli and Fermo, involving other municipalities and even the impoverished the countryside. In 1478 further a plague epidemic contributed decimate the city. Remained virtually uninhabited until the refugees repopulated San Benedetto from Romagna to which they were granted land lease. The history of the city is marked by incursions of Turks that capture the sailors and lead them into slavery; episodes that will be renewed from the 16th until the 19th century. Since 1650, the urban center expands beyond the walls, in 1754 created the first marine suburbs, Sant'Antonio da Padova and Marina. In 1860 the "Cacciatori delle Alpi" freed the city from the dominion of the Church. Dates back to 1896 the Royal Decree granting San Benedetto the attribute "del Tronto"; in 1936 the village of Porto d'Ascoli was reunited to its territory.

During the Second World War, precisely in 1943–1944, the city suffered 144 air raids and 6 naval shelling. The war marked a resumption of activities vehement: like everywhere in Italy, flourishing business ventures, rapidly increases welfare. Fishing becomes from a source of survival in the cornerstone of the local economy and 1960s and 1970s the city will boast one of the largest fishing ports in Italy, a large fleet of ships sailing the oceans, the first fish market the country's handling of product. Another activity has a tumultuous development that will dominate the years following World War II, that of tourism, growing up unstoppable as much as making San Benedetto be the title of the first reality of brands in terms of attendance.

[edit] Main sights

The Torrione is one of the more important attractions of the city. It is located on the highest part of San Benedetto, in the oldest part of the city, also known as San Benedetto Alta. This tower is 15 metres high and from the top of it you can see the whole city.

[edit] Culture

San Benedetto del Tronto is home to the football team U.S. Sambenedettese, which the team has played in Serie B and is currently playing in Serie D. The city also hosts the final stage finish of the cycle race Tirreno–Adriatico every March.

A Carnival Parade is held every February on San Benedetto's main streets, with colourful floats from all over Piceno.