San Venanzo
San Venanzo | |
|---|---|
| Comune di San Venanzo | |
 | |
  San Venanzo Location of San Venanzo in Italy  San Venanzo San Venanzo (Umbria) | |
| Coordinates: 42°52′N 12°16′E / 42.867°N 12.267°E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Umbria |
| Province | Terni (TR) |
| Frazioni | Ospedaletto, San Marino, Pornello, San Vito, Poggio Aquilone, Civitella dei Conti, Collelungo, Rotecastello, Ripalvella |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Marsilio Marinelli |
| Area | |
• Total | 169.45 km2 (65.43 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 465 m (1,526 ft) |
| Population (1 January 2025)[2] | |
• Total | 2,151 |
| • Density | 12.69/km2 (32.88/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Sanvenanzesi |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 05010 |
| Dialing code | 075 |
| Website | Official website |
San Venanzo is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Terni in the Italian region Umbria, located about 30 km (19 mi) southwest of Perugia and about 45 km (28 mi) northwest of Terni.
History
The territory of San Venanzo was already inhabited in the Roman era. The first nucleus of the present settlement likely developed around the 8th century, when it emerged as one of the fortified centers established along the Byzantine corridor in central Italy.[3]
During the communal period, the town was involved in the local conflicts that affected the area between Orvieto, Perugia, and Todi. In 1290 it came under the control of the Monaldeschi family of Orvieto.[3]
In the modern period, San Venanzo underwent several administrative changes. In 1816 it was a baronial locality within the District of Orvieto in the Delegation of Viterbo. The following year, in 1817, it was classified as an appodiato of the municipality of Marsciano, in the District of Todi. In 1827 it became an autonomous community with its own podestà, under the government and district of Orvieto. By 1858 it was recognized as a comune under the governmental residence of Orvieto and included the appodiati of Civitella dei Conti, Collelungo, Ripalvella, and Rotecastello.[3]
In 1859 the population numbered 596 inhabitants. Of these, 236 residents lived in the village itself, while 360 were dispersed in the surrounding countryside. All were under the single parish of San Venanzo.[4] In the mid-19th century, contemporary accounts mention the presence of prominent local families, including the Counts Faina and the Valentini family.[4]
In 1860 San Venanzo was annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia. In 1929 the municipality expanded its territory through the annexation of the suppressed comune of San Vito in Monte.[3]
Geography
San Venanzo is a small walled village situated on a hill on the left bank of the Paglia River, at an elevation of 405 metres (1,329 ft) above sea level. It lies about 28 kilometres (17 mi) from Orvieto and approximately 41 kilometres (25 mi) from Todi.[5]
San Venanzo lies on a hill and mountainous terrain, with an extensive outlook to the east and a more restricted horizon to the west. The nearest town is Marsciano, about 6 miles (9.7 km) away.[4]
San Venanzo includes the hamlets of Civitella Conti, Collelungo, Ripalvella, and Rotecastello.[4]
San Venanzo borders the following municipalities: Ficulle, Fratta Todina, Marsciano, Monte Castello di Vibio, Montegabbione, Orvieto, Parrano, Piegaro, Todi.
Economy
In the mid-19th century, agriculture formed the basis of the local economy. The area produced grain and olive oil, and there were mills for both.[4]
Religion
The parish church is dedicated to Saint Venantius, the town's patron saint. His feast is celebrated in May.[4]
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 "Comune di San Venanzo". Sistema Informativo Unificato per le Soprintendenze Archivistiche. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f Palmieri, Adone (1858). Topografia statistica dello Stato Pontificio. Vol. 4. Tipografia Forense. p. 153.
- ^ Strafforello, Gustavo (1895). La patria; geografia dell'Italia. Provincia di Perugia. Unione Tipografico-Editrice. p. 179.