Senarica

Senarica
Frazione
Senarica Location of Senarica in Italy
Coordinates: 42°32′51″N 13°30′50″E / 42.54750°N 13.51389°E / 42.54750; 13.51389Coordinates: 42°32′51″N 13°30′50″E / 42.54750°N 13.51389°E / 42.54750; 13.51389
Country	Italy
Region	Abruzzo
Province	Teramo (TE)
Comune	Crognaleto
Population
• Total	300
Demonym(s)
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Website	Official website

Senarica Republic

Repubblica di Senarica

Microstate

1343–late 18th century

Flag

Capital

Not specified

Languages

Religion

Government

Historical era

•

Established

1343

•

Disestablished

late 18th century

Preceded by

Succeeded by

Kingdom of Naples

Senarica is a village in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. With a population of fewer than 300 people, Senarica was an independent republic for about four centuries until the end of the eighteenth century. It was the smallest state to maintain an independent status for that long, although now it is a frazione of the comune of Crognaleto.

It lies west of Teramo city, in the province of Teramo.

Senàrica and the neighbouring village Poggio Umbricchio became independent in circa 1343, when Queen Joanna I of Naples granted the area independence because of the inhabitants' fierce opposition against the enemy troops of Milan under Lord Luchino I Visconti's relative Ambrogio Visconti. Impressed by the splendor of the dogal Republic of Venice, Senàrica rulers adopted a similar republican government, with an elected doge as head of state.

Its coat of arms was a black shield with a silver lion (as the symbol of the state) fetching a snake of the same colour. These arms appeared on a gold gonfalon and on the seal as well. In the village's cathedral is still visible a reproduction of the lion, which in this particular image is topped by a crown.

Senarica is also a family name. One member of the family is the minor Italian actor Piero Senarica.

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Wikipedia