Picciano is first mentioned in 1049 when Bernardo Earl of Penne, with the Charta Offersionis, gave fields and buildings to build a Benedictine abbey in its hills. This is the first indication of the existence of a town called Picciano. and could be considered its terminus ante quem.
Many legends are known about the origin of the name "Picciano", the most believable talks about shepherds devoted to the Goddess Pithia; other variants of the name, found in the Charta Convenientiae, is "Piczano" so that perhaps the name of the town can be dated back to the Early Middle Age, avoiding conjectures about Roman origins.
One of the two marble Lions coming from the ancient Abbey.S. Maria del Soccorso Church, Picciano, Façade
Images
The campanile of Santa Maria del Soccorso from north
The campanile of Santa Maria del Soccorso from north
Picciano, Historic Centre
Picciano & La Bella Addormentata
Picciano e Piccianello
Piccianello from south
