Rivodutri

Its origins?

The origin of the current toponym is found Statutes of Rieti that mention this municipality as RIGODUTRI. This name probably derives from the fact that the hill on which it rises is crossed on both sides by two streams (Rivus utrinque or Rigatus utrinque). Others believe that the name derives from Velumbri, as the ancient Umbrians who inhabited the Agro-Reatino were called. If this hypothesis were true, Rivodutri would have ancient origins. According another theory the village was called "Rivo" and later modified after the union with another village called "Utri", located in the territory of Cantalice and abandoned by its inhabitants become tired of continuous robberies. The historian Valerio Leoni argues that the origin of the village should date back to the protohistoric-Italic era, when the waters the ancient Lake Velino rose, leading to the arrival on the site of a population of Greek origin that colonized the current site of Rivodutri. Subsequently, after the Roman reclamation, the inhabitants of the first settlement went down to the plain giving rise to "Seven Waters". In the territory of "Seven Waters", mentioned by Cicero, numerous archaeological finds from the Roman era have been found. However, the news about Rivodutri is uncertain at least until 1300; after this date, in fact, the community participated in the socio-political life of Rieti and thanks to its position it could control the Rieti Plain. The most certain news about its history date back to 1375, when rebellion broke out in the village against the tyrants sent there by the Avignon popes. Peace was achieved in 1377, so the local rebels and refugees were readmitted to the village, but peace also marked the surrender of the Rivodutri Castle. After these events, life in the Rivodutri Castle was relatively quiet, although the most aggressive inhabitants of the castle, driven by poverty, frequently took to brigandage. On 1 January 1949, an earthquake, with epicenter in Rivodutri, caused the destruction of many buildings, changing the old aspect of the village and favoring the phenomenon of migration towards other cities.