Schiavi di Abruzzo
Schiavi di Abruzzo is a hill town in the province of Chieti, Abruzzo, central Italy. It is located in the Apennine Mountains, in the southernmost portion of the Abruzzo region, on border with the Molise region. It is , from the Adriatic Sea, and from Rome. Geography. The historical center of the town is situated at the highest point of a mountain peak, at , and there are population centers or administrative divisions in the valleys on three sides of the mountain. Three quarters of the population lives in these surrounding valleys. Heavy snowfall can occur in winter months . Language and dialect. The town has a historical Italian dialect known as Schiavese. For many centuries there have been different dialects even between towns in the same vicinity. With the advent of television, the dialects have become less prevalent. Population. The municipal boundaries cover . In 2014, the populations was 886. The population in 1861 was 3,657. As was the case of the rural areas of Southern Italy, the town experienced a mass immigration (Italian diaspora) to North and South America between 1861 and 1914. This immigration lead an abrupt decline of the agricultural economy. Nonetheless the population peaked in 1961  at 4,526. Since then there has been a steady decline due to residents having sought employment in the Italian cities (mostly Rome), and also throughout Europe. History. The first written mention of the town dates back to Middle Ages, in the first half of the 11th century. Also, the name Schavis and Sclavi appeared in the Libro delle decime (tithe book) of 1309 and of 1328. It is commonly known that there was a colony of Slavs that became a fief of Roberto da Sclavo, from which the name of the town was probably derived. From 1130 the town was  part of the Kingdom of Sicily, and later of Kingdom of Naples. From 1626 until 1806 the town was also a fief of the Caracciolo di SantoBuono a branch the Caracciolo clan of Naples, and administered from San Buono, a town away. From 1816 to 1861, Schiavi was part of the Kingdom of Two Sicilies, then becoming part of the Kingdom of Italy, until 1946 when Italy became a republic. Between 1917 and 1919 Portfolio paid 300,000 Lira ($1.5 million in 2006 US dollars) to install the first electric service in his home town of Schiavi di Abruzzo, Italy . He later gave 50,000 Lira ($255,000 in 2006 US dollars) for the town's water utilities. People. As evidenced by the World War I and World War II memorial, Cirulli is the most common last name, followed by Falasca. Transportation. There is daily bus service from Rome's Roma Termini railway station that takes about four hours. By car from Rome, it takes about three hours via the A1 tollroad (Autostrade of Italy) south, in the direction of Naples. After 146 km (60 minutes) and just past Cassino, taking the San Vittore del Lazio exit, and following the signs  to Isernia for 36 km (45 minutes) on state SS85. At Isernia, following signs to Vasto, and proceeding 35 km (45 minutes) on state road SS650, to the Schiavi di Abruzzo exit. SS650 is along the Trigno river and is generally at sea level. So from the exit, the road proceeds up the mountain side 13 km (20 minutes) with a elevation change. To see road map, click here.