History

The earliest evidence of human presence in Cortino dates back to the Bronze Age or even the Neolithic, as demonstrated by the findings of three flint spearheads in red, black, and variegated colors, and a white flint flake discovered in Padula and preserved at the National Archaeological Museum of Chieti. The area is also rich in significant testimonies from the Italic and Roman era, such as the precious archaeological remains found in various districts and localities of the municipality of Cortino, suggesting the presence of an advanced and prosperous society.

Excavations carried out in Pagliaroli in 1975 unearthed the remains of an ancient pagan temple dating back to the 2nd-3rd century BC. These monumental remains are of great craftsmanship and include fragments of terracottas that formed the temple's front.

Among the finds, a warrior's head stands out, which, at the time of discovery, had been identified as the Goddess Athena. The head is adorned with a slightly lifted plumed helmet on the forehead, with a thick head of hair peeking out from it. At the time of discovery, the warrior still had traces of colors, which, however, have significantly reduced following a restoration.

Other artifacts were found in the area of Piano Santa Lucia, including fragments of tiles, masonry, and ceramics dating back to the Roman Imperial age. In particular, a handle of a small amphora dating between the 2nd and 3rd century AD was discovered.

The surrounding territory also features remains of rustic villas dating back to the Roman Imperial era, when Cortino was an important agricultural destination in the vicinity of Teramo. Other archaeological attractions in the area include the Roman era Necropolis in the district of Colle di Casanova and the remains of ancient farmsteads in the area of Piane di Servillo.

From the medieval period, we have:

• The archaeological remains of the medieval church of Sant'Angelo, located in Fonte Pantano di Elce;
• The archaeological remains of a medieval settlement in Piano Frondella di Casagreca;
• The early medieval settlement of Collegilesco, with toponymy of probable Germanic origin;
• The archaeological remains of ancient, early medieval, and medieval settlements in Gragnano, located in Piano Santa Lucia di Pagliaroli;
• The archaeological remains of an ancient sanctuary near the parish church of San Salvatore de Pagliarolo, archaeological remains of ancient, early medieval, and open medieval settlement of Pagliaroli;
• The archaeological remains of an open medieval settlement in Magninano di Pagliaroli;
• The late medieval open settlement of Casagreca;
• The archaeological remains of early medieval and medieval settlements in Piano Santa Maria di Casagreca;
• The open medieval settlement of Servillo;
• The archaeological remains of the early medieval and medieval settlement of Polecciano, located in Lago di Elce;
• The archaeological remains of the medieval church of Sant'Angelo, in Fonte Pantano di Elce.

The first historical mention of the location of Cortino dates back to 1029 when it was cited as "Corte" in a donation from the Teutoneschi family to the Aprutina Church. In 1134, it appears with the name "Cortina" in another donation to the same Church. In 1285, when it became part of the forum of the Bishop of Aprutino, Cortino was already part of the territory of the castrum Scalellis, which stretched from Cortino to Pagliaroli. In the 15th century, it became part of the new "State" or Universitas della Montagna di Roseto, together with Crognaleto and another thirty villas. From the beginning of the 15th century, Cortino was under the lordship of the Acquaviva from the branch of the Dukes of Atri.

The end of the Acquaviva came in 1760 with the death of Duchess Isabella, and with her, the Roseto area came under the royal management of the Allodial States of Atri. The court took the name of the Serenissima Real (or Ducal) Corte della Montaagna di Roseto and was governed for a long time by Giovanni Bernardino Delfico. In 1790, the Acquaviva branch of the Counts of Conversano, who had only retained the ducal title of Atri, had to renounce any feudal claim in favor of the Crown, and the territory definitively passed to the State property.

The birth of a strong internal reaction during the French invasion of 1799 saw the resurgence of brigandage, with the formation of mass troops inspired by the Sanfedismo, including the Mass Leader D. Donato de Donatis. The municipal territory, like much of the Teramo mountain, was frequently the scene of the endemic problem of banditry, which limited the development possibilities of the area in various historical periods, including the end of the sixteenth century, the end of the seventeenth century, and the period of Italian unification.

The current territorial structure of the Municipality of Cortino dates back to May 1, 1816, when the administrative districts of the Kingdom of Naples were established. In 1868, following the suppression of the Municipality of Valle San Giovanni, the fractions of Casanova, Collegilesco, and Faieto were annexed to the Municipality of Cortino.