Montebello Sul Sangro 

The origins of Montebello Sul Sangro go up to the XII century. 

In the centuries the village has changed name a few times. 
At the beginning the village's name was known as “Malanotte” becoming later “Buonanotte”. 
In the XV century the village was feud of Antonio Caldora and later of the Lordship of the family Annechino with Raimondo. This family moved in the area with the Caldora. 
In the 1557 the feud, together with that of Pietraferrazzana, was given by King Federico to the Ricci of Lanciano, precisely to Pippo and Francesco, sons of Cola. 
In the 1557 both feuds belonged to Riccio di Riccio (or Ricci) and afterwards to Violante, that gave them to the daughter Isabella Tappia, that headed them to herself in the 1569 after her mother’s  death. In the 1660  
the villave results to belong to Marino Caracciolo, prince of San Buono. In the 1603 was sold to Marco Tullio Tino  
of Ortona for 3.880 ducati with agreement of retro sale. for this reason in the 1628 belonged again to the Caracciolo. in the 1797 the village belonged to the family Malvini-Malvezzi of Bologna related with the Medici of Firenze and kept by Baron Gianfranco. 
In the 1447 Buonanotte was inhabited with 7 familys, 21  in the 1552, 25 in the 1535, 34 in the1561, 17 in the 1595 and 17 in the 1732. In the 1671, in the description of the kingdom of Napoli from Caracciolo-Beltrano, the village was mentioned with the name of Malanotte with 17 familys. These data are confirmed from Panichelli in the 1703.

A curious tale recounts that, to the origins, the inhabitants lose a local war. 
For this reason the mans had to grant their wifes for a night to the winners 
as price of defeat. 
For this reason the defeated inhabitans called the village “Malanotte” 
and the strangers winners called the village “Buonanotte”. 
Another tale recounts of a king crossing the territory with his court  
in a night of blitzzard and snowstorm. 
Finally when he reached the castle named him “Castel di Malanotte”. 
Later, visiting again, during a beatifull sommernight exclaimed 
“this is a good night” and from here  the name of  “Buonanotte”. 
The village kept this name until 1969 when the people decided to change it 
with the actual name of “Montebello Sul Sangro”. 
The main reason why  the inhabitans of that time decided to change 
the village’s name was because the other people laughed when they 
said I am from Buonanotte. (Buonanotte means Goodnight).  
Montebello Sul Sangro is formed by two structures: an old village and the 
new village. 
Layed on the ridge of the Monte Vecchio, the old village ist totally uninhabited 
because of a landslide that slowly destroys it. 
The new village, slightly away, arises to the west side of  Monte Vecchio, to the left  
of the omoymous Sangro river. 
Montebello sul Sangro is placed in the Appennino abruzzese and enjoys of 
an integral sight on the mountains of Maiella. 
Borders with the villages of Pennadomo, Torricella Peligna, Montenerodomo and 
Montelapiano. 
Down in the valley there is Villa Santa Maria, village of reference and of which 
Buonanotte has been part of, before having his own administration. 
The surface of the village is 5.40 Kmq and it has 105 inhabitans. 
The height above see level is 810 m. 
Other informations: 
Zip Code: 66040 
Telephone prefix: 0872 
Distance from Chieti: Km 82 
Distance from Lanciano: Km 54 
Distance from Rome und from Napoli about Km 250. 
Surnames registered at town hall:  
Argentieri, Cesarone, Colin, D’Angelo, Di Fabrizio, Di Francesco, Di Laurenzio,  
Di Lullo, Di Mito, Di Paolo, Giacopino, Gianluca, Giampaolo, Liberatore 
Mancini, Marinelli, Nero, Palumbo, Rossi, Sabatino, Salvatore, 
Santucci, Sciubba.

Feasts and kermisses. 
16 March: feast of Saint Ciriaco patron of the village. 
11 June: feast of the Madonna 
7 August: feast of Saint Giusta protector of the homonymous parish. 
8 August: big feast of Saint Ciriaco. 

The August’s feasts are characterized from the coming back of many peoples 
of Montebello that normally live elsewhere: mostly in Rome. 
Characteristic to notice during these 2 days are the processions of devotion 
through the village’s streets with Saint Giusta and Saint Ciriaco.  
Besides, bands and fanfares, fires pyrotechnics and music groups cheer 
the hot summer nights. 

16 August: paste kermis. 

This kermis has becomed a tradition. Paste at will in the square for everybody and for all the tastes, with excellent wine  and music. The village turn itself on in a big unlocked restaurant: You see, all over the  place, improvised tables, benchs and chairs. On the streets are people with casseroles lids and ladles to supply themselves with succulent paste that masterlys cooks prepare with trade and skill. 

Structures: Town hall, Church of Saint Giusta, Post Office, Foodstoffs store with small traditional restaurant. Club-Bar for  members. 

Soccer field, Tennis field, Bocce field, Playing park for kids.