Following the fall of the Roman Empire came a period known as the Dark Ages. The Val di Comino suffered repeated invasions and looting by the Barbarians. Firstly by the Visigoths in 421 and then by the Ostrogoths. Atina’s troubled history continued over the centuries. In 589 AD the town was laid waste and many of its citizens massacred during an attack led by Zottone the Duke of Benevento.
Atina or “Atinem” was first documented in the 7th century which was defined as a fortress on the extreme border between the Roman Duchy and the southern territories of the Longobards. It was strategically positioned to defend the southern entrance into the Val di Comino, the route connecting Cassino with Sora.
In 702 AD it was siezed by the Lombards and became part of the duchy of Benevento.
In 774 it was ruled by the Princes of Capua and the Counts of Marsi.
In 858 Atina was sold to the duke Guido of Spoleto together with Sora, Arpino and Vicalvi for the help received against Landolfo.
From the time when the Longobards were converted to Catholism, there followed a period of reorganisation which was led by the Benedictines of Montecassino. However this progress was interrupted by the arrival of the Saracens in the early 900’s who attacked and looted the area. Then, in 938, the Hungarians invaded this territory.
From the end of the tenth century Atina formed part of the Lombard Principality of Capua and was ruled by the Counts of Marsi. Aligerno, the abbot of Monte Cassino began an ambitious program of rebirth, through colonization and fortification, with the foundation of new settlements throughout the territory. In the first half of the 11th century, while the town was a fief of Landone, Count of Marsi a substantial nucleus developed in the Colle district of Atina.
In the 11th century, while the city was a fief of Landone, Count of Marsi two significant new settlements developed. One was built on the Hill of Santo Stefano, and another was constructed in the district of Colle delle Torre. Each were protected by circuits of strong fortified walls and watch towers. In another settlement the Church of Santa Maria was built, which became the most important church of Atina.
Note: the remains of the castrum of Santo Stefano can still be seen today.
The Earthquake and the Building of the New Town of Atina
On the morning of the 9th September 1349 a catastrophic earthquake hit the Val di Comino which left Atina in ruins once again. The following year the remaining citizens were afflicted by a terrible pestilence. Those that survived vowed to rebuild the town with the help of the Cantlemo family on the original site of the old Roman town.
The new settlement was built to a triangular plan. The Dukes Palace was built by Rostaino Cantelmo, at the highest point on Monte Massico, on the site of a Roman fortification. The town was guarded by fortified walls.
The Cantelmo continued to govern Atina in the 15th century, overcoming the difficulties due to the alternation of territorial government between the Angevins and the Aragonese. After the Cantelmo’s the possession of Atina passed on to a succession of feudal lords and barons: to the Carafa family, the Borgia’s, the Navarro’s, the Cardona’s and Matteo di Capua. In 1595, the year in which the valley was bought by Count Matteo Taverna and entrusted to the Gallio family. During this time Atina was described as being “full of people” with its natives being “suitable and affectionate” and who took pleasure in the “hunting of hawks and goshawks, even breeding enough to sell to others“. “….. lived in this city or land, people of literature and manner”.
Under the rule of the Gallio’s the town flourished and developed new churches and noble palaces were built. As the population grew in size the town began to extend beyond the constraints of the medieval walls and there were also improvements to roads such as the Via Sferracavalli. Tolomeo Il Gallio also ordered the building of a bridge to span the River Melfa. The bridge was supported by five pillars and had four arches. It was built using materials from the remains of old Roman monuments that lined the road in the vicinity of San Marciano.
The population of Atina continued to increase. By 1797 there were 4034 inhabitants. At the end of the 19th century the urban fabric developed along Via San Nicola and Via Sferracavalli.
Since ancient times there had been small bands of criminal outlaws or brigands in this area. They would prey on unsuspecting travelers during their journeys through the mountainous terrain of the Val di Comino in Ciociaria. However brigandage came to its peak following the Unification of Italy.
Thanks to Louise Shapcott