Paganica
rises up in a large hollow that was a originally a vast Pleistocene lake and,
during the historical era, was inhabited by two Italic people the Sabinos and the
Vestinos living in the valley between the Gran Sasso and Velino Mountains.
About the origins of Paganica, there are several hypothesises.
Some historians have connected it to the Vestino people, due to the writings of Tito Livio, who describes that in 430 B.C. the Romans and their
commander, the consul Giunio Bruto Sceva, destroyed the ancient town of Cutina, in the Vestino
territory (Ab Urbe condita libri, VIII). The town from these writings has been
located precisely to the Cadicchio hill, in the Paganica territory.
Other historians connect the origins of Paganica with
a temple dedicated to Paganico Jupiter. The existence of the ancient temple was
confirmed by an inscription found by Professor Venanzio Lupacchini (1730-1775):
"IOVI PAGANICO SACRUM" (translated: "Sacred to Paganico
Jupiter"). This theory states
that Paganica takes its name from this temple.
A third hypothesis is based on the origin of the name
of Paganica, which is connected with the Latin word "pagus"
(translated "village"). This hypothesis suggests a Roman
origin of Paganica.
Whatever is the correct hypothesis, we know certainly
that Paganica has existed since the Roman Era, a fact to which two inscriptions
attest.
The first inscription, located on the floor at the
main entrance of the San Giustino's Church, attests
that Licinacio, Caio's son, was "Praefectus Iure Dicundo", a
position which in Paganica could not exist before 430 BC, when the Romans conquered
the Vestino people.
The second inscription, kept in Dragonetti Villa, is dated back
to a period between IV and III century BC.
 |
| Inscription in front of the entrance of the San Giustino's Church (Paganica.it) |
Several "Villas" or "Faras" (that
is "Contradas") were built during the Byzantine Era, proven by
several notary deeds. However, they became part of a urban structure just
during the Lombard Era.
The first mention of Paganica is in an official
document dated back to 956 AC: the decree with which the emperor Ottone I gave
some estates to the Forcona's Diocese, including the properties of the San
Giustino's and Santa Maria di Paganica's Churches.
At the beginning of XII century, Paganica was
certainly the most important and richest village of the Vestino valley. Here
economic and political interests converged and made Paganica a densely
populated area. During this period, Paganica was so rich that it was able to
give 18 knights and 35 servants for the Crusades. This small town was independent
and the venue of the "Local Magistrate".
In 1254, with the other 99 Castles, Paganica had a hand in founding the City of L'Aquila,
building its own district, Santa Maria
where the church, the square and the fountain were copies of the ones in
Paganica. The Santa Maria Paganica's Church became one of the most important
churches in L'Aquila.
After this period, the Paganica's destiny was linked to that of Aquila.
The XIV century was one of the most prosperous
periods for Paganica. With its importance and richness, Paganica was able to
reinforce its walls and castle. We do not know the exact date of these works,
but they are dated to a period between 1364, the year of the Giovannna I's
diploma, and 1423, the year of the Braccio da Montone's siege. During the war
between Angevins and Aragons, Braccio da Montone, who had several titles
(Governor of Bologna, Rector of Rome, Lord of Rome, Prince of Capua, Count of
Foggia, Constable of the Reign of Naple), supported the Angevins against the
Aragons (who supported by L'Aquila and Paganica). The Angevins and Braccio won.
Fortebraccio da Montone conquered Paganica and set up his quarters in the castle of Paganica. During the following year, in
1424, Fortebraccio was defeated by Lalle Camponeschi, who conquered and
destroyed the castle. Over the ruins of the castle, two centuries later, in
1605, the Santa Maria del Presepe's Church was built.
 |
| The Santa Maria del Presepe's Church in a old photo (Paganica.it) |
If in the XV century Paganica had been able to get the tax exemption, in the XVI
century it began to die away. During this period, with other villages, Paganica
was converted to a feudal state. Its first baron was the Spanish Captain
Roderigo de Arzes, who bought it for 400 scutes. From then on, for two
centuries, Paganica was property of several families, such as the Carlis, the
Carafas, the Caracciolos, the Vitellis, the De Torreses, the Matteis and finally
during the middle of XVIII century, the Doge Ignazio Di Costanzo, who built the
Doge's Palace, which you can visit today.
After the French Revolution in 1789 and the abolition
of feudalism, several Universitates (that is the most important towns)
became independent Communes once again. In XIX century, Paganica acquired
autonomy and became a Royal Curia; in addition, in 1816, the town became the
administrative center of the district. During this century, Paganica constructed
new buildings, like a train station, a post office and the famous Sant'Antonio's Fountain.
However, the autonomy lasted only one century. In 1927, a Royal
Decree, promulgated on July 29th, suppressed eight Communes, which became
hamlets of L'Aquila,
one of which was Paganica. This decree put into effect a plan elaborated by the
Podestà Adelchi Serena, during the Fascist Age.
