{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox French commune |name = Aregno |commune status = [[Communes of France|Commune]] |image = Aregno-Vue sur mer.jpg |caption = A general view of Aregno |image coat of arms = |arrondissement = Calvi |canton = Calvi |INSEE = 2B020 |postal code = 20220 |mayor = David Calassa<ref>{{cite web|title=Répertoire national des élus: les maires|url=https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/2876a346-d50c-4911-934e-19ee07b0e503|website=data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises|date=2 December 2020|language=fr}}</ref> |term = 2020–2026 |intercommunality = Calvi Balagne |coordinates = {{coord|42.5819|8.895|format=dms|display=inline,title}} |elevation m = 210 |elevation min m = 0 |elevation max m = 326 |area km2 = 9.3 |population = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_total}} |population date = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_as_of}} |population footnotes = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_footnotes}} }}
'''Aregno''' ({{langx|co|Aregnu}}) is a [[Communes of France|commune]] in the [[Haute-Corse]] [[Departments of France|department]] on the island of [[Corsica]], [[France]]. The village was previously part of the ''piève'' of ''Aregnu'' in the former [[Republic of Genoa|Genovese]] province of Balagna.
The commune has been awarded '''three flowers''' by the ''National Council of Towns and Villages in Bloom'' in the ''Competition of cities and villages in Bloom''.<ref>[http://www.cnvvf.fr/les_villes_et_village_fleuris-47.html Aregno in the Competition for Towns and Villages in Bloom] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210053901/http://www.cnvvf.fr/les_villes_et_village_fleuris-47.html |date=December 10, 2014 }} {{in lang|fr}}</ref>
==Geography== {{wide image|Aregno-panorama.jpg|600px|A panoramic view of Aregno}} Aregno is located immediately to the east of [[Algajola]] and extends from west to east between Algajola, [[Lavatoggio]], [[Cateri]], [[Sant'Antonino]], [[Pigna, Haute-Corse|Pigna]], and [[Corbara, Haute-Corse|Corbara]]. Its highest point is 326 metres above sea level and it has a total area of some 930 hectares. Access to the commune is by National Route N197 from Algajola in the west and continuing to Corzo to the north-east. Access to the village is by road D551 which branches off the N197 and continues south through the commune by a circuitous route to the village. There is also the D151 road from Pigna in the north-east, passing through the village and continuing south to join the D71 south-east of [[Cateri]]. The [[Chemins de fer de la Corse|CFC]] railway from Algajola passes through the commune near the beach with the Aregno-beach station an important stop for the summer "beach tramway" along the coast and the beaches between [[Calvi, Haute-Corse|Calvi]] and [[L'Ile-Rousse]].
Between the sea and the village, the Aregno plain is crossed by the Teghiella stream, which joins the Pozzi stream, and the Migliani stream later on. It flows into the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] at the east end of Aregno beach, at the edge of the Calcinaiu Natural Site in [[Corbara, Haute-Corse|Corbara]].
Aregno has a narrow sea front, mostly sandy beach, which extends between Corbara and Algajola.
===Localities and Hamlets=== The commune includes the following inhabited areas: *Aregno village, old and traditional, dominated by the Trinity Church located forty metres above it, an architectural jewel from the 11th century, located in the middle of the cemetery. *Praoli hamlet located just north of the village with the small chapel of Saint-Michel *Torre, north of the village, which also has a chapel *Aregno-beach between the seaside resort of Algajola and the industrial area of Corbara. The area has been developed for tourism with the construction of holiday homes, shops, and hotels. The chapel of the Annunziata is at Aregno-beach. The D551 road connecting to the village intersects the N197 at Aregno-beach.
===Amenities=== [[File:Aregno panorama.jpg|thumb|Panorama of Aregno|upright=2.4]]
Although it has a coastline, the commune has no [[marina]]. The nearest is the small fishing port of San Damiano in Algajola.
There are 3 water treatment plants: in the village of Aregno and in the hamlets of Praoli and Torre. The pumping station is located near the N197 at Aregno beach.
The commune has no petrol station. The nearest is located at the edge of Corbara commune on the N197 at Aregno-beach.
===Neighbouring communes and villages=== {{Geographic location |width=auto |Centre = Aregno |North = [[Mediterranean Sea]] |Northeast = [[Corbara, Haute-Corse|Corbara]] |East = [[Pigna, Haute-Corse|Pigna]] |Southeast = [[Sant'Antonino, Haute-Corse|Sant'Antonino]] |South = [[Cateri]] |Southwest = [[Lavatoggio]] |West = [[Lumio]] |Northwest = [[Algajola]] }}
==History==
===Antiquity=== Evidence that Aregno was already occupied in Roman times has been proven by discoveries of bronze plates from the armies of the [[emperor]] [[Vespasian]] have been found at the site of San Marcellu.
It has been established that in the 9th century, during the reconquest from the [[saracens]], Roman knights led by the Roman prince Guido Savelli (Count of Balagne since his victory over the Saracens) chose successively the Moorish cities of Corbara (the Castle of Guido was founded in 816), then [[Sant'Antonino]] for the capital of the County of Balagna, named after the coastal city which has disappeared.
According to the work of Pierre Savelli de Guido (Count Savelli de Guido, former mayor of Corbara and historian, member of the Archaeological Society of Lorraine), the site is that of the ancient city of ''Balanea'' founded by the [[Phoenicians]] (?) and mentioned by [[Ptolemy]], [[Strabo]], and [[Pliny the Elder]] which was abandoned due to insecurity.
Stones from ancient Roman shrines have been reused in some houses and barns.
===Modern times=== In the 16th century, around 1520, Aregnu was the centre of a [[Pieve]] with about 500 inhabitants. It was part of the Balagna region which included at the time the pieves of Tuani, Aregnu, Santo Andrea, Pinu, and Olmia.
The Pieve of Aregnu included the following inhabited places: l'Arpagiola (or Gabiola), la Corbaia, lo Monticello, Santo Antonino, Santa Riparata, Piaza, Pragola, le Torre, Regno, li Catari, lo Lavatogio, Lacona, Spano, Hogio, and Aquapessa.
In the 18th century, after the transfer of Corsica to France, Aregnu merged with the pieves of Santo Andrea and Tuani to form the Pieve of Regino. The Pieve of Regino became, with the Revolution in 1790, the Canton of Algajola.
===Contemporary era=== In 1954, together with the communes of [[Algajola]], [[Avapessa]], [[Cateri]], [[Feliceto]], [[Lavatoggio]], [[Muro, Haute-Corse|Muro]], [[Nessa, Haute-Corse|Nessa]], and [[Speloncato]], Aregno became part of the Canton of Muro.
In 1973 Aregno was integrated into the Canton of Belgodere, a canton created by the forced merger of the former cantons of [[Muro, Haute-Corse|Muro]], [[Belgodère]], and [[Olmi-Cappella]] during the administrative division of new cantons between 1971 and 1973.
==Administration== {{incomplete list|date=April 2021}} '''List of Successive Mayors'''<ref>[https://www.francegenweb.org/mairesgenweb/resultcommune.php?id=7664 List of Mayors of France]</ref> {| class="wikitable" |- ! From !! To !! Name |- | 2001 || 2014 || Claude Imperiali |- | 2014 || 2020 || Jacques Andréani |- | 2020 || 2026 || David Calassa |}
==Demography== The inhabitants of the commune are known as ''Aregnais'' or ''Aregnaises'' in French.<ref>[https://www.habitants.fr/haute-corse-2B Le nom des habitants du 2B - Haute-Corse], habitants.fr</ref>
{{Historical populations | align = none | cols = 2 | percentages = pagr | source = EHESS<ref name=ehess>{{Cassini-Ehess|1157|Aregno}}</ref> and INSEE<ref name=pophist>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/8643952?geo=COM-2B020#tableau-POPREF_G1 Population municipale entre 1968 et 2023], INSEE</ref> |1800 |560 |1821 |620 |1846 |695 |1876 |683 |1901 |675 |1926 |640 |1946 |537 |1962 |381 |1968 |359 |1975 |490 |1982 |547 |1990 |544 |1999 |567 |2007 |613 |2012 |594 |2017 |598 |2023 |588 }}
==Economy==
===Agriculture=== At one time the [[Almond]] was cultivated - a tee perfectly suited to Corsica, a dry and sunny region. Olive trees are also grown in elsewhere in Balagne as well as [[Citrus]] trees.
*The [[Orange (fruit)|Orange]]: In the past the quality of oranges from Aregno was well known. It was in the 17th century that the first oranges were imported from Portugal. There is an orange variety called "Aregno Citrus sinensis Osbeck".
Although today the culture of the Orange has collapsed, 17 January is the day the patronal festival is always held for the blessing of oranges followed by their distribution.
*The [[Almond]]: At the end of the 19th century, almond culture covered 3,000 ha of Corsica. By the middle of the 20th century, it covered only 100 hectares.
Since 1970, following the creation of a recovery plan for almonds by the Chamber of Agriculture and the National Committee of the Almond, 300 ha have been planted. Without and prior studies of production, processing and marketing, or technical support, this operation was a failure since in 1980 Corsica numbered only 170 hectares of almond trees. In 1990 a conversion plan funded by the ''Onhiflor'' and the [[EEC]] was established. 100 ha are to be planted with new plants.
Nevertheless, pastoralism (sheep and goats) remains the main rural activity.
===Tourism=== The commune is now part of an area popular with tourists during the summer season. Camping has found its place among the hotels and tourist residences with two large campsites (Camping at the Beach and Marina A) well-developed at Aregno beach on the coastal part of the commune. There is also camping at "Canterattu-city" equestrian centre inland.
==Culture and heritage==
===Places=== '''Aregno-beach''', a strip of 900 metres of coarse sand from which the Citadel of Algajola can be seen. This beach is the natural outlet for all the neighbouring villages. Most of this beach is bordered by the commune of [[Corbara]]. The western end belongs to the commune of [[Algajola]]. The beach is very popular with vacationers.
===Religious heritage=== *The '''Church of Saint Trinity''' (11th century){{Mérimée Icon}} is registered as an historical monument.<ref>Ministry of Culture, Mérimée {{Mérimée|PA00099155|PA00099155 Church of Saint Trinity}} {{in lang|fr}}{{Camera}}</ref> It is at Aregno village at an altitude of 280 metres, a legacy of the Pisan heritage from the 11th century. As with the ''Chapel San Raineru'' at Lunghignano ([[Montegrosso]]) and the [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] ''Chapel Saints Paul and Pierre'' in [[Lumio]], it is located in the middle of a cemetery and is decorated with strange motifs: human figures or animals (bears, cows, snakes etc.). One of these is at Pignon, perpendicular to the front door. It shows a man removing a thorn from his foot. It is an allegory of knowledge, widespread in continental Romanesque buildings. In 2011 an archaeological evaluation was conducted in the nave to consider restoration. There are murals dating to 1449 and 1458 in the Church of the Trinity: ''The Four Doctors of the Church'' and ''Saint Michael slaying the dragon''{{Palissy Icon}} which are registered as an historical object.<ref>Ministry of Culture, Palissy {{Palissy|PM2B000002|PM2B000002 2 Murals: ''The Four Doctors of the Church'' and ''Saint Michael slaying the dragon''}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref>
;Church of Saint Trinity Picture Gallery <gallery> Image:Corse-04812-église de Aregno.jpg|The Church of Saint Trinity Image:Aregno E1aJPG.jpg|The [[Apse]] Image:Aregno-La Trinite.jpg|The Church front facade Image:Aregno-La Trinite-sculptures.jpg|Sculptures at the front </gallery>
*The '''[[Church of Saint Anthony Abbot|Parish Church of Saint-Antoine-Abbé]]''' is located below the Church of the Trinity and San Giovanni at 252 m altitude in the heart of the village and accessed by a cul-de-sac. In the style "Corsican baroque" and recently restored, it has a high ochre bell tower and 3 floors of arches. Its front facade, pink with white bands, is inspired by the [[Church of the Gesù]] (Rome) with plans having been reworked in 1564 by [[Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola|Vignola]]. Flat, stripped, and flanked by carved side doors, the facade is divided into two floors, punctuated by pilasters and separated by cornices. It is surmounted by a pediment which, instead of being triangular as in many Baroque churches of the island, here is curved bordered with moulded cornices. The Pediment and facade are also separated by a cornice. The date 1818 is carved on a granite corner stone. Restoration of the church doors has been made financed by a ''parliamentary reserve'' in 2011 by the MP for [[Aisne]], Xavier Bertrand.<ref>[https://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/politique/20130710.OBS8843/ce-que-font-vos-elus-de-leur-reserve-parlementaire.html Le Nouvel Observateur] {{in lang|fr}}</ref> The church contains several items which are registered as historical objects: **Friary Stalls (18th century){{Palissy Icon}}<ref>Ministry of Culture, Palissy {{Palissy|PM2B000667|PM2B000667 Friary Stalls}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref> **A [[Pulpit]] (1714){{Palissy Icon}}<ref>Ministry of Culture, Palissy {{Palissy|PM2B000546|PM2B000546 Pulpit}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref> **A Painting: The Virgin with Saints Dominic and Catherine of Sienna (17th century){{Palissy Icon}}<ref>Ministry of Culture, Palissy {{Palissy|PM2B000545|PM2B000545 Painting: The Virgin with Saints Dominic and Catherine of Sienna}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref> **A Painting: The Death of Saint Francis-Xavier (18th century){{Palissy Icon}}<ref>Ministry of Culture, Palissy {{Palissy|PM2B000544|PM2B000544 Painting: The Death of Saint Francis-Xavier}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref>
;Parish Church of Saint-Antoine-Abbé Picture Gallery <gallery> Image:Aregno-eglise-1.jpg|The Church of Saint-Antoine-Abbé Image:Aregno-eglise-autel.jpg|The altar Image:Aregno-eglise-chaire.jpg|The pulpit Image:Aregno-eglise-orgue.jpg|The organ </gallery>
*The '''Chapel of Saint-Michel''' is a small chapel in the hamlet of Torre to the north of the village. *The '''Chapel of the Annunziata''' is on the plain along the D551 road. On a marble plaque affixed above the entrance is written: ''Fermati o passageri la testa inclina per saluta del celo la grand Regina''. *The '''Chapel''' in the hamlet of Praoli.
===Festivities and Recreation=== [[Image:Aregno-Foire de l Amandier 2009.jpg|thumb|The Almond Fair 2009]]
*The Almond Fair: On 8 and 9 August 2009 there was the 13th edition of the ''Fiera di Amandulu'' at Aregno - a gourmet event focused on the almond and local products (cheeses, meats, etc.) and regional craft stalls. In 2009, exhibitors were invited from the town of [[Oraison]] (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence), famous for its almond-based products. * On 17 January of each year, the day of the feast day of Saint Anthony Abbot, oranges are blessed and distributed to the participants.
===Aregno Picture Gallery=== <gallery> Image:Aregno_Vi1JPG.jpg| Aregno Image:Aregno.jpg| View of the village Image:Aregno-E Torre-St-Michel.jpg|The Chapel of Saint-Michel Image:Aregno-Annunziata.jpg|The Chapel of the Annunziata </gallery>
==See also== *[[Communes of the Haute-Corse department]]
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
{{Commons category|Aregno}} {{Haute-Corse communes}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:Communes of Haute-Corse]]