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Palmiano and its events, taken from “Flash il Mensile di vita Picena” No.118, JANUARY 1988, by Luigi Girolami.

A journey to rediscover the little boroughs: Palmiano from “Comunità Montana” Year 1 No. 3/4, July-August 1979 by Giovanni Ferrari

The modest little mountain town of Palmiano perches on the north-west slope of the eastern strip of the Ascolani Apennines, 541 metres above sea level.  In the inaccessible valley of the Cinate torrent, the town, which has the singular prerogative of today being the smallest borough in our province, is a 20 minute drive along the Venarottese provincial road from the chief town of the Piceno province.

Many historians are of the opinion that this manor was founded at the end of the XIVth century by Benedictine monks of the Farfa order, who in that period presided over what now constitutes the whole geographical area from the Tronto to the Tenna and from the mountains to the sea.

This hypothesis is given weight by documents dating back to 1661, which show that worship of the Farfensian saints Vittoria and Anatolia was widespread in the town.  In addition, in the locality of Pedara there is a square keep, a typical Benedictine construction, that dates back to roundabout the year 1000.

In ancient times its name was Palombiano (sindacatus palombianus), as it was listed in the Ascoli land register of 1381; only later, thanks to a convenient linguistic contraction of the word, was it modified to Palmiano (Marche place names by Giulio Amadio).

In 1150 Palombiano was bestowed by Emperor Corrado III of Svevia on the bishop – Count of the Ascoli Presbytery diocese and on the 25^th September 1288 “the Community of the Manor of Palmiano, with the consent of the Massario(public official in charge of administrating the property of the medieval borough),  nominates Giovanni of Actone, the resident of the Manor, procurator to contract with the town of Ascoli and to renew ancient pacts of protection and help on the part of the town, and payment of the Manor taxes”₍₁₎.

In 1299 it was harassed by ferocious and bloodthirsty attackers, but Pope Nicolò IV made sure that urgent orders were sent to the Rector of Marca Giangiacomo Colonna so that he would protect and defend it from every sort of enemy.

Its population, scattered between villas and country houses, has always been low in numbers and of a peaceful nature, dedicating itself exclusively to cultivating its modest lands, passed on from father to son and far from the controversies of medieval dynasties.

This in fact explains the reason why the manor had been built at the bottom of the valley and with hardly any fortification.

There was a brotherhood of the Saints of Sacramento in the borough of Palmiano, founded and approved canonically in 1632 by Pontiff Urbano VIII, whose dispensations took place in the periods of planting and in the months of greatest need, whilst the modest earnings were dispensed for the benefit of worship and maintaining the church.

There were two churches in Palmiano in 1670: S. Angelo and S. Maria delle Grazie, the former, of which only the abside remains, was inside the town, whilst the second was located outside the primitive town centre, and in a document of the time (1670) was defined as extra-castrum.

In 1700 the brotherhood of Palmiano went in procession to Rome on the occasion of the jubilee called by Pope Innocenzo XII.

Once in the capital, the faithful stayed in the Hospice of the SS. Trinità near Ponte Sisto and after having been much moved on meeting the supreme pontiff and purchasing indulgences, they undertook the long return journey across the central Apennines, braving many dangers.

Since 12^th May 1682 Palmiano has celebrated the feast day devoted to Saint Abbot Antonio who was born, as tradition has it, because of a miracle performed by the Saint.

In fact, three centuries ago a farmer from Palmiano was taking his animals to pasture when he was caught out by an unexpected storm and a torrent of water swept him down the valley.  In the midst of this deluge, the poor man called on the Saint and all his animals remained unhurt.

Once he returned to the town safe and sound, the devoted farmer organised a feast in the Saint’s honour that has been repeated year after year up to the present day.

In 1799, at the time of the “White Terror”, more commonly called banditry, Palmiano underwent the greatest devastation in its history.

In that year, in fact, numerous brigands, pretending to be supporters of the Pontiff’s government, came down from the surrounding mountains and barricading themselves in the small village, held siege to it, laid waste to the place, sacking it and burning down several dwellings.

It was in this circumstance that the town archives were destroyed, which contained many books and very valuable ancient manuscripts, that today would have been useful for a detailed reconstruction of the history of the castle.

After this warlike period, the town was left without any public learning and the parish priest, don Pietro Battistini, privately managed to educate the citizens a little, though they barely learnt to read and write (1861).

THE CHURCH OF SAINT MICHAELE ARCANGEL

From “L’antico borgo di Palmiano” by Cristiano Peci

Situated in the main square of the town, the little church has a single nave, and has undergone much restoration over the centuries.  Three blind openings rise up from the façade with its exposed stonework.  Two of these contain wooden figures of saints and one a window.  The graceful bell tower dates from the first decade of the XX century.

The whole construction includes various frescoes and wall paintings of the years 1910-1915.  Among them, that of S. Michele Arcangelo carried out by the pro-tempore parish priest at that time, don Giulio Renia.

In 1834 the parish was transferred definitively to the church of S. Maria delle Grazie, S. Angelo having been completely destroyed by then and only used as a burial ground.

The new parish underwent various damage, until it was restored in 1880 by the parish priest don Raffaele Costantini; his successor, don Giugno Renia personally painted frescoes throughout the church and these well-preserved paintings can still be admired today.