Celano is a town and comune in the Province of L'Aquila, central Italy, 120 km (75 mi) east of Rome by rail.

[citation needed] After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Celano suffered from the invasions of Lombards (6th century).

Celano was elected Caput Marsorum (capital city of the Marsica region), governed by the Berardi family.

Fearing that Marsica was becoming too powerful, in the year 1223 Emperor Frederick II ordered his army to destroy the castles of the region.

Celano suffered a long siege, which ended with its defeat and total destruction and the exile of its entire male population to Sicily and Malta.

The square Piccolomini Castle, with round towers at the corners, was erected in its present form on the top of the San Vittorino Hill.