Two hundred days of siege. So many were needed for the Royal Sardinian Army to seize the Fortress of Civitella del Tronto, the last bastion defending the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, the last Bourbon stronghold to surrender to theUnification of Italy a full three days after it was sanctioned.
Yes because if the end of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies is Feb. 13, 1861and the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy in the Turin Parliament is March 17, in Civitella del Tronto it went on in desperate resistance until March 20, 1861 when the last die-hards loyal to the Bourbon crown surrendered to History.
Civitella del Tronto is a treasure chest of heroic and controversial facts therefore, but also one of the municipalities on the list of Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages. Located in the Vibrata Valley, on the border between Abruzzo Teramo and the Marche, it includes the Fortress, the village behind it and as many as 31 hamlets scattered throughout the municipal territory. And if it was tasked with guarding the northern border of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, the Bourbon influence cannot fail to manifest itself at the table as well. In fact, in Civitella del Tronto you can enjoy Filetto alla Borbonica: fried stale bread on which is laid beef fillet cooked in butter with mozzarella and anchovy fillets on top, all flavored with marsala. Or Spezzatino alla Franceschiello in honor of Francis II of Bourbon, the last king of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies: chicken or even lamb meat with pickles and olives flavored with wine, oil, garlic and rosemary.
In this part of Italy, Bourbon monarchy, Savoy monarchy and Republic have intertwined and continue to intertwine in the history of this country. It is not for nothing that Civitella del Tronto can boast the title of “city” since 1589 by concession of the King of Naples, Philip II of Spain, and since 2010 the Bronze Medal for Civil Merit awarded by the President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano with this motivation: ” During World War II, the population devoted itself with courage and generous solidarity to assisting and helping Jewish citizens interned in the local concentration camp. Clear example of spirit of sacrifice and elective civic virtues “.
Looking back at the dates, on March 17, supporters of the Unification of Italy gather to celebrate by waving the tricolor, and three days later, it is the turn of those who feel partisanship of the desperate Bourbon resistance. But shifting our gaze to the dinner table, a gastronomic summit in Civitella del Tronto over a good filet and a succulent stew could compose even the most heated Risorgimento opposition.
