Farnetta

Farnetta is a small village in the Terre Arnolfe countryside, 16 miles northwest of the Italian city of Terni, Umbria. It is included in the comune of Montecastrilli in the province of Terni (central Italy). It has a population of 283.

Farnetta derives its name from the old Latin name Quercus Frainetto. It is reputed to be one of Umbria's smallest villages. It has several farms and houses, and a church, dedicated to St Nicolaus, which has its origins in the 16th century but underwent heavy restoration in 1855-1870. The church has been designated by Italian Heritage.

On a nearby hill are the remains of a Medieval hill fort known as Palombara, and the 10th- to 11th-century Romanesque Church of San Lorenzo in Nifili. San Lorenzo was built on the remains of a Roman building, and incorporates large stone blocks from that building. The church is located on an important Roman road (Via Amerina) connecting Amelia to Todi and Perugia.

History
It is likely that the area was also inhabited in the Iron Age and throughout the Roman period. Close to the Roman roads Amerina and Flaminia, the area has numerous elements of early Roman infrastructure, indicating that it was extensively settled.

The village's name's is traditionally connected to the toponym Quercus frainetto, a species of oak.

The territory where Farnetta will be constructed centuries later, was near the borders of three Roman cities: Todi, Carsulae and Amelia. After the fall of the Roman empire, the territory was devastated by barbaric invasions and people moved to live in the oak forests. The village of Farnetta was likely founded in the 9-10th century during the encastellation times.

The village was later part of the Terre Arnolfe, under the feudal rule of the Arnolfi family, and later subjected to Todi and Terni. The church of Farnetta was listed in the Farfa Abbey register in 1112.

Following the fall of the Arnolfi rule, the territory of Farnetta passed under the jurisdiction of the comune of Todi, but again it was on the border with the territories of other cities. In medieval times, the small village was circled with stone walls to protect inhabitants from attacks by the nearby cities of Amelia and Narni.

Farnetta become part in 1367 of the Papal States, and it remained subject to it till 1860, apart for small periods of time (Napoleonic period). It was in the religious jurisdiction of the bishop of Todi.

In 1817, the administrative jurisdiction of Farnetta passed from Todi to Terni.

Main sights
Farnetta is 385 meters above sea level. The Farnetta Natural Park is a protected area (Zona di ripopolamento e cattura) that covers a part of the village. Trails cross the park.

Its historical center was once surrounded by medieval walls. Most of them have been dismantled, leaving only short stretches and a few cylindrical towers that served as part of the town's defenses.

The church of San Nicolo (Nicolaus), in the old part of the village, was begun in the 16th century and completed in the 19th century by the Nevi family. It includes 17th- and 18th-century paintings.

The small rural church of Santa Lucia has been recently restored: this church dates back to 17th century and it is connected with the medioval cult of St. Lucy, patron saint of the blind and those suffering from eyes problems,and St. Apollonia, the patroness of dentistry and those suffering from toothache. The church includes an important oil painting from the 17th century.

Dunarobba Fossil Forest
The Fossil Forest of Dunarobba, 3 km from Farnetta, is one of the world's oldest forests. Two million years ago, the oceans withdrew from the area, leaving an ancient lake, Tiberino. Water runoff from the emerging hills and mountains carried large quantities of sediments which, along with tectonic movements, covered the forest's giant trees and preserved them.

San Lorenzo in Nifili
The listed Church of San Lorenzo (10th century) is located in the parish territory of Farnetta (2 km from Farnetta). This is described as 'almost unique for its architectural heritage and level of preservation' owing to its stone barrel vault, which runs the length of the nave and medieval frescoes. The church has been constructed over a Roman temple and a significant amount of Roman stone blocks and artefacts have been reused for the construction of this church.

Culture
Farnetta is known for its Feast of St. Rita, held the last week of May. During the feast, local residents organize a trattoria with traditional food.

In the nearby medieval church of S. Lorenzo (st. Lawrence), on the 10th of August, every year, a historic religious feast is celebrated with local food and wine.

Other medieval towns and villages are present near Farnetta: Todi (17 km), Sangemini, (10 km), Spoleto (42 km), Carsulae (12 km) and Orvieto (38 km).

Transport
Farnetta is served by Bus Italia services to Terni, Todi, Sangemini, Montecastrilli, Avigliano and Amelia.

Economy
Agriculture was important for Farnetta's rural development and poverty reduction. Today the village has made use of its past and created a tourist industry; many people enjoy agriturismi (farm holidays) in the area.

Demography
The population of the civil parish, recorded in the 2001 census, is 246. In the 13th century the population was about 500 (96 fireplaces).

List of people from Farnetta

 * Angelo Nevi, Prior of the Comune di Montecastrilli in the 19th century