The history of treia

The original town (spelt Trea) was founded by the Sabine people in 380 BC. Its original site was two kilometres from the current town, in an area called Santissimo Crocifisso, which was on a branch of the Via Flaminia – the ancient Roman road leading from Rome to the Adriatic sea.

In the 10th century the people of the town searched for a more secure site on the hill where the current town of Treia sits.

 

The town sided with the Pope during the wars between the Pope and the Emperor, and was besieged several times. A fortified wall was built around the town for protection.

In 1790, Pope Pius VI rewarded the people for their faithfulness by reinstating the name of Treia, and raising it to the official rank of “city”.

 

 

Treia is also famous for a ball game – the Disfida del Bracciale. Once played throughout Italy, Treia is now the only town that hosts its own competition. Teams come from the four quarters of Treia, and are symbolised by different strands of society - representing the aristocracy, the farmers, the artisans and the gypsies, and the town is filled with brightly coloured banners supporting the different teams.