Alviano is a town and comune in the province of Terni, Umbria, central Italy.
Etymology
Medieval documents record the name Albianum. The toponym is likely derived from an estate belonging to the Albia gens.
History
In 996 Count Offredo, who had arrived from Germany with Otto III, built the fortress and founded the lineage. During the 11th and 12th centuries the Alviano family extended its control across the Tiber Valley, Umbria and the Marches under papal allegiance. In the High Middle Ages Alviano became the largest and most powerful lordship in southwestern Umbria.
On 6 July 1816 Alviano was classified as a baronial place in the Delegation of Spoleto. The following year it was listed as subordinate to the community of Guardea, and by 1833 it formed a community under the governor of Amelia.
Geography
Alviano is situated on a hill at an elevation of , about from the left bank of the Tiber.
Subdivisions
The municipality includes the localities of Acquasanta, Alviano, Campo della Fiera, Feluca, Paolicchie, Stazione di Alviano.
In 2021, 420 people lived in rural dispersed dwellings not assigned to any named locality.
Notable people
The noble family of Alviano, traditionally considered the founders and early lords of the settlement, played a central role in the history of the town and produced a line of marquises and military leaders, most notably Bartolomeo d'Alviano,