Senarica

Senarica is a village in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. With a population of fewer than 300 people, Senarica was an independent republic for about four centuries until the end of the eighteenth century. It was the smallest state to maintain an independent status for that long, although now it is a frazione of the comune of Crognaleto.

Senarica
Frazione
Senarica
Location of Senarica in Italy
Coordinates: 42°32′51″N 13°30′50″E
Country Italy
Region Abruzzo
ProvinceTeramo (TE)
ComuneCrognaleto
Population
 • Total300
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Senarica Republic

Repubblica di Senarica
1343–1797
Flag
StatusMicrostate
Common languagesItalian
Religion
Roman Catholic
GovernmentRepublic
Historical eraEarly Modern
• Established
1343
• Disestablished
1797
Preceded by		Succeeded by
Kingdom of Naples
Kingdom of Naples

Geography

It lies west of Teramo city, in the province of Teramo.

History

Senàrica and the neighbouring village Poggio Umbricchio became independent in circa 1343, when Queen Joanna I of Naples granted the area independence because of the inhabitants' fierce opposition against the enemy troops of Milan under Lord Luchino I Visconti's relative Ambrogio Visconti. Impressed by the splendor of the dogal Republic of Venice, Senàrica rulers adopted a similar republican government, with an elected doge as head of state.[1] The king of Naples Ferdinando IV did not believe in the existence of the independent republic and sent some officials to Senàrica for investigation. Driven by Prime Minister Bernardo Tanucci, he ordered its annexation.[2]

Its coat of arms was a black shield with a silver lion (as the symbol of the state) fetching a snake of the same colour. These arms appeared on a gold gonfalon and on the seal as well. In the village's cathedral is still visible a reproduction of the lion, which in this particular image is topped by a crown.

Surname

Senarica is also a family name. One member of the family is the minor Italian actor Piero Senarica.

See also

Notes and references
Notes
  1. Guida Italia: Abruzzo Molise (4th ed.). Milan, Italy: Touring Club Italiano. 1979 [1926]. ISBN 9788836500178.
  2. Guglielmo Magnifico p. 307
References

Media related to Senarica at Wikimedia Commons

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