Torreano

The territory of Torreano - partly flat and in part covered with mountains - presupposes diverse systems of life and activity which are linked to the different nature of the soil. Its population - the Friulian ethnic group in the valley and the Slovenes on the mountains - characterizes a very ancient, always peaceful coexistence with people of different origins and customs.

This area was almost certainly inhabited by the primitive populations of the Euganeans, Ligurians, Venetians and Celts, even if there are any evident signs of their passages left. Instead, it is certain that here there were the inhabitans of the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages. The "Foran di Landri" Cave - beyond the village of Prestento - shows with its remains the Man's appearance in the Preisthoric Age.

The origin of Torreano was certainly bound to the romanization of the Friuli area. In fact, the place name derives from the name of a Roman centurion ("Turius") who obtained this "presidium". There are many discoveries of the earthernware and cinerary urns relative to that epoch - carried out in the village named "Cragnolino".

When the neighbouring Cividale (6 km far) became the seat of the first Longobard ducate in Italy, Torreano was occupied by some Barbarian families and it was certainly devastated by the Avarians in 610. In 739 in the hamlet of "Lauris" (the present Laurini) some Slavic tribes attempted to enter in the area but they were trounced in the battle by the Longobard Duke Pemmone.

Successively the territory used to belong to the Patriarchate of Aquileia and then, there was the Venetian dominion. The fall of the Venetian Republic occurred in 1797, and Torreano remained under the Austrian rule - except for Napoleon's short period - till the annexation to Italy in 1866.