You probably noticed that we always call our region Abruzzo, and wondered why you have always known it as Abruzzi. There is a reason behind this difference, that dates back several years ago.
From the origin and meaning of the name Abruzzo, it is possible to understand its history and geographical evolution over time.
At the beginning – in the Middle Ages – it was called Abruzzo, probably from the Latin word Aprutium, which appears for the first time in the letters of San Gregorio to mention the territory of the city of Teramo and its surroundings.
Later, the region was divided into three areas, Abruzzo Citeriore (nearer Abruzzo), Abruzzo Ulteriore I and Abruzzo Ulteriore II (farther Abruzzo I and II). So if you learned a little bit of Italian, you know that the plural of a word ending in an “o” ends in “i” – thus Abruzzi referred to all three of these areas. At this time it was part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
When Italy was unified in 1860, these three areas were merged to Molise, and the region became known as Abruzzi e Molise until 1963, when the government split Abruzzo and Molise into two separate regions.
So which is it?
The correct name is Abruzzo, even if the term Abruzzi is still used, especially abroad and in our dialect. Many Americans – and foreigners of any country – often call it Abruzzi because when their ancestors left Italy, the region was still named this way. We also have a town called Roseto degli Abruzzi, that recalls our past.
These continuous changes are also the reason behind our many historical and cultural traditions, that makes Abruzzo vital and unique.
Ready to experience Abruzzo with us?
If you have any questions or curiosities, just get in touch with us and we will be happy to answer them. And if you’re not quite ready to make an enquiry, sign up to our free email course to learn everything you need to know about planning a tour of Abruzzo.
7 thoughts on “Abruzzo or Abruzzi, so which is it?”
My Italian heritage in Abruzzo dates back to the 1600’s. I am intrigued with the possibilities to learn more.
Buongiorno Diana,
it is nice to know that you have Abruzzo roots.
If you need any help to trace your roots (usually from 19th Century) and to discover Abruzzo in an authentic way, contact me through this page: https://italiasweetitalia.com/ancestry-a-holiday-to-trace-your-abruzzo-roots/ or write me an e-mail to fabrizio@italiasweetitalia.com.
Ciao for now, Fabrizio.
Hi Fabrizio,
Thanks for the explanation about Abruzzo/Abruzzi, which had always puzzled me – and I’m just reading a book in which “Abruzzo” is always used, so I googled it and came across your site.
There’s a similar situation – though the explanation may not be quite the same – with the more southerly Puglia/Puglie region, whose name in Italian has appeared in both the singular (Puglia) and the plural (Puglie) forms. English now seems to have settled on the name of the original Roman province Apulia, so the problem no longer arises – but in French the usual name is still “les Pouilles”, which is of course plural.
I can’t think off-hand of any other regions or provinces with such alternative Italian names, but maybe you or other readers can. There does seem to be something of an Italian tradition of pluralising geographical names, as in the “Kingdom of the Two Sicilies” (Sicily plus Naples) and the “Three Venices” (everything from Trento eastwards, including small parts of what are nowadays Slovenia and Croatia).
Kevin
Kevin again,
I’m now reminded of when I lived in Geneva 40 years ago. Geneva is in Switzerland, but right next to the French border. And one of its southern suburbs (called Carouge) is still famous for its Italian – and specifically Sardinian! – architecture. Of course I wondered how come there would be Sardinian buildings in a landlocked city which is nearly 400 km from the nearest Mediterranean coast, and a thousand km from Sardinia.
Well, it turns out that at some point there was a political merger between Sardinia and the parts of Italy and France between Genoa and the Swiss border. The resulting state was known as the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia. Carouge was not yet part of Geneva, but just inside the new kingdom – and to this day it has a square called the Place de Sardaigne, in memory of its pre-Geneva history.
Kevin
Buongiorno Kevin,
thank you so much for your valuable contribution to Italian and Abruzzese history!
Ciao for now
Fabrizio
I found out about Abruzzi through the Australian movie “Red Dog”. Cannot spoke so lovingly about Abruzzi.
Buongiorno David,
Thank you for sharing that!
It’s great to hear that you discovered Abruzzo through the movie Red Dog!
If you’re interested in seeing more, here’s a video that highlights some quotes and scenes related to Abruzzo: Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AKiy75GtBA
Best regards,
Ciao for now
Fabrizio