Lanciano, Medieval commune in Province of Chieti, Italy.
Lanciano is a medieval commune in the Province of Chieti and sits on a hill between the Adriatic coast and the Maiella mountain range. The old town displays narrow lanes, stone buildings, and archways grouped around several larger squares.
The settlement arose in pre-Roman times under the name Anxanum and later became an important trading place under Roman rule. During the Middle Ages the commune grew further and gained additional fortifications that remain visible today.
The name comes from pre-Roman times and connects the commune with the Frentani people who inhabited this area for centuries. Today locals use the old lanes for shopping and gather in the squares near churches, especially during morning and early evening hours.
You can reach the old town on foot through several entrances located on different sides of the hill that lead to the main lanes. The paths are partly steep and uneven, so comfortable footwear is helpful.
In one of the old town churches a religious event has been documented for more than a thousand years, attracting pilgrims from many countries. The related relics are kept in a glass shrine and can be viewed there.
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