Patrica

Patrica
Comune
Comune di Patrica
Location of Patrica
Patrica Location of Patrica in Italy Show map of Italy Patrica Patrica (Lazio) Show map of Lazio
Coordinates: 41°35′N13°15′E / 41.583°N 13.250°E / 41.583; 13.250
Country	Italy
Region	Lazio
Province	Frosinone (FR)
Government
• Mayor	Lucio Fiordaliso
Area [1]
• Total	27.31 km2 (10.54 sq mi)
Elevation	450 m (1,480 ft)
Population  (30 November 2016) [2]
• Total	3,176
• Density	120/km2 (300/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Patricani
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	03010
Dialing code	0775
Patron saint	San Rocco
Saint day	August 16
Website	Official website

Patrica is a hill-top comune (municipality) in the Province of Frosinone in the Italian region Lazio.

Territory

The town is located about 70 kilometres (43 mi) southeast of Rome and about 10 kilometres (6 mi) southwest of Frosinone. It is at 450 m MSL on a hill that rises, close to the Lepini Mountains, in a dominant position and overlooks the Sacco Valley. The territory of the comune borders Ceccano, Frosinone (the capital of the province), Giuliano di Roma, and Supino.

History

The origins of the town are not well-known. Shortly before the Roman expansion, the surrounding region was inhabited by Italic peoples speaking Osco-Umbrian languages. The Romans called it Patricum. Their presence is attested by aqueduct ruins in the area. Numerous patrician villas which were located below the town. ^[3]

In the Middle Ages and in the modern era, it was part of the Papal State, sharing the historical events of Rome, thus becoming part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1870.

During the 20th century, many residents emigrated from Patrica to Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, in the United States, to work in the steel mills; J&L in Aliquippa. They also emigrated to Ambridge which is just across the Ohio River from Aliquippa to work in the mills in and around Ambridge as well as at J&L; American Bridge, Wycoff, A.M. Byers, Bethlehem Steel, etc. The Italian community there continues to celebrate each August the Feast of San Rocco, patron saint of Patrica. ^[3]

Mount Cacume

Mount "Cacume" (derived from the Latin cacumen for top, or peak), is mentioned in Canto IV of Dante’s ’’Purgatory’’: Mondazi in Bismantova e iu Cacume, and lies just southwest of the town. In 1903, a 14-metre (46 ft) high, 400-tonne (400,000 kg) cross was erected on the top of the mountain. ^[3]

References

1. "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Istat. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
2. All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.
3. "San Rocco". San Rocco organization, Aliquippa PA. Retrieved 10 Oct 2015.