Baschi

Baschi is one of the largest municipalities in the province of Terni. Located at 165 m. a.s.l. near the river Tiber, it boasts numerous testimonies of the Roman age. The word Baschi derives from the Latin “vasculum” where “vas” means “basin”.

The Basques were a powerful family whose origins date back to the eleventh century. In the area between Todi and Orvieto, from the 11th century, the fiefdom saw daring events that led Baschi to be a free municipality; then, under the dominion of the powerful Ghibelline Basque lordship, the Basques were in fight against the Guelphs. In 1162 they became noble thanks to Barbarossa. In the thirteenth century, they hindered the southwestern expansion of the Municipality of Todi. Two main branches of the family were later formed, often in quarrel with each other, the Baschi and the Baschi from Carnano. In 1536, a first branch followed Clement VII to France, creating new French noble families. The family died out in its male line in 1773, when Count Francesco Maria died. In 1860 together with Orvieto and Todi, Baschi voted for its annexation to the new Italian state.