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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.

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

Geography

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

History

Republic of Senarica Repubblica di Senarica (Italian)
1343–1797
Coat of arms
Status	Microstate
Capital	Senarica
Common languages	Italian
Religion	Roman Catholic
Government	Republic
Historical era	Early modern
• Established	1343
• Disestablished	1797
Preceded by Succeeded by Kingdom of Naples Kingdom of Naples
Today part of	Italy

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.[1] The king of Naples Ferdinand IV did not believe in the existence of the independent republic and sent some officials to Senàrica for investigation. Driven by Prime Minister Bernardo Tanucci, he ordered its annexation in 1797.[2]

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.

See also

• Republic of Cospaia
• List of historic states of Italy
• European microstates
• List of republics

Notes and references

Notes

References

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
• Senarica page at Flags of the World
• Aldo Ziggotio, an article published on the Italian bulletin Armi Antiche, 1987

External links

• Media related to Senarica at Wikimedia Commons
• (in Italian) Senarica official website
• Flag of Senarica at Flags of the World

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