Venafro
Venafro | ||
---|---|---|
Città di Venafro | ||
ISTAT code 094052 | | |
Patron saint | SS. Nicandro, Marciano and Daria | |
Saint day | 17 June | |
Website | Official website |
Venafro (Latin: Venafrum; Greek: Οὐέναφρον) is a comune in the province of Isernia, region of Molise, Italy. It has a population of 11,079, having expanded quickly in the post-war period.
Geography
Situated at the foot of Mount Santa Croce, elevation 1,026 metres (3,366 ft) above sea level, at a height of 222 metres (728 ft) above sea level, the elevation of the municipal territory varies from 158 to 1,205 metres (518 to 3,953 ft) above sea level. The municipality stretches along the homonymous plain crossed by the Volturno and San Bartolomeo rivers whose sources are located in the center of the Venafro plain. Other notable mountains are: Monte Sambucaro at 1,205 metres (3,953 ft), Monte Cesima at 1,180 metres (3,870 ft), Monte Corno at 1,054 metres (3,458 ft), Monte Santa Croce or Cerino, at 1,026 metres (3,366 ft), and Colle San Domenico at 921 metres (3,022 ft).[3] Once a part of the province of Terra di Lavoro in Campania (territory with which it is still culturally linked), the city is now known as the door of Molise and is of major importance to the socio-economic dynamics of the province due to its highly developed economy, and is considered one of the four central industrial cores in the region.[4]
Climate
Venafro since ancient times is known for its mild climate. Winter is quite cold with rain; snow rarely leads to modest accumulations. Frosts are common; the absolute minimum temperature in the last 10 years was −6.4 °C (20.5 °F) in 2005. The intermediate seasons are milder but with frequent precipitation. Summer is very hot with temperatures often reaching 30 °C (86 °F); the absolute maximum temperature of the last 10 years was about 37.6 °C (99.7 °F) in 2007. This fairly mild climate derives from being in an exposed southern plain closed from the mountains; but in periods of high pressure thermal excursions temperatures may vary 15 to 20 °C (59 to 68 °F) between day and night.
History
Ancient era
Although its founding is attributed to Diomedes, child of Tydeus and Deipyle, characters in Greek mythology, the ancient name of Venafrum derives from Samnite sources.[5] On the plain, there have been found numerous findings that suggest the existence of human settlements in prehistoric times. The only occasion on which Venafrum figures prominently in history is during the
Middle Ages
Between 774 and 787 the Venafro plain was crossed by the troops of
Modern era
From autumn 1943 to spring of 1944 Venafro was the scene (along with
Main sights
Venafro can be divided into two distinct areas: the old town, of Roman origin, enclosed by walls and dominated by Castle Pandone, and new town that has several newly developed neighborhoods.[3]
Historic center
The old town (Centro Historic) was built on the existing Roman urban structure and many of the buildings still have Roman foundations. It was depopulated from the 1960s and many buildings were damaged by successive earthquakes. Government funding for repairs came slowly to the province, but by 2000 most buildings had been structurally secured, although remained unoccupied. Slowly a new generation started to reside in some of the properties from middle of the noughties. The upper floors of buildings are residences, while some lower floors of the premises are used as shops.
Castle Pandone
Built in the highest part of the city, it derives its name from the
Verlasce Roman Amphitheater
Located in the center of modern Venafro and despite development overlap are the still visible remains of the Roman elliptical
Roman theater
On the
Other Samnite, Roman and medieval remains.
In the town center are visible traces of a
Churches
Due to a large number of churches in the area Venafro was given the nickname "The city of 33 churches." These are many churches of various sizes and ages in the historic center and in the foothills area. Unfortunately, many places of worship such as Santi Martino e Nicola are now closed and abandoned.
Cathedral
Annunziata or Church of the Annunciation
The church is an example of Baroque architecture built in the 14th century, and has been repeatedly amended over time. It was built with material from a nearby Roman theater and had a gabled façade. Over the centuries it underwent a major restoration and the church assumed its present Baroque appearance. The single nave interior preserves a crucifix of the 14th century. In a lateral niche is the silver bust of St. Nicandro with a some relics of martyrs. The church also has a large frescoed dome, visible from every point of the city.[10]
Basilica of San Nicandro and convent
The Basilica of San Nicandro was built atop Roman ruins on the eastern outskirts of the city, on the road to Isernia. The church has had many reconstructions and most recently restored in 2001. It features two naves and retains an altar in wood marquetry and pyrography. Under the altar is the crypt the tomb of St Nicandro was discovered, a spring called "Manna of St. Nicandro" also appears in the crypt.[10]
Chiesa del Cristo or Church of Christ or of the Last Sacrament
The church located on Via Cavour was built in the second half of the 16th century and expanded, taking the present form in the second half of the 17th century. The church has a single aisle and presents stucco cornices and capitals. There are several paintings and at the top of the nave in special niches are the statues of Four Evangelists. The church has two small domes with no windows, and a Baroque bell-tower, looking similar to the Church of the Annunciation. The façade has a large window and is preceded by a staircase.[10]
National Archaeological Museum "Santa Chiara"
In an 18th-century monastic structure houses the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Santa Chiara. Among the works exhibited are Roman artifacts: the "Venus of Venafro" by Antonine (2nd century AD), two large statues of men who are identified as Augustus and Tiberius, and the great memorial or "Tavola Acquaria" where the regulations designed to regulate the use (edict of Augustus) of the Roman aqueduct during the Augustan age.[10]
French military cemetery
Along Highway 85 to Isernia, on an extended flat area is the French war cemetery in which are buried about 4,500 (but many have been exhumed) soldiers. Notable are the two thirds of African origin, mainly
Parks
Wildlife preserve
Located at the border between Molise and Campania, in the municipalities of Venafro and
Regional Agricultural Historical Olive Park
The Parco Oraziano behind the city's cathedral became the Regional Agricultural Historical Olive Park of Venafro. A regional law aimed at establishing a protected area to preserve the heritage of Venafro's
Festivals and traditions
Festival of Holy Martyrs and Patrons
The
Other festivals
Other festivals include:
- March 19: nd i Favor r' San Giuseppe, or the lighting of bonfires in the various squares in the historic city center.
- Good Friday: procession of Christ and Our Lady of Sorrows.
- May 1: the Feast of the Cross.
- Pentecost Sunday celebrates Madonna of the Roses, with a feast of near the church of the same name, with a procession and musical entertainment in the square.
- On the Sunday of Corpus Dominiis held the traditional procession through the streets of downtown.
- June 13: There is a procession of Saint Anthony of Padua for the old town from the church of the Annunciation.
- July 1 and 2: Our Lady of Grace feast.
- July 15 and 16: Celebrates Our Lady of Mount Caramel. 15 band concerts and fireworks.
- August 1 the 2nd: Our Lady of the Angels celebration.
- September 23: St Pio of Pietrelcina celebration in the convent of St. Nicandro with a processional and musical entertainment in the square.
- The first Sunday of October: Celebration of Our Lady of the Rosary in the village of Ceppagna with procession and various shows.
- November 11: Saint Martino and Nicola celebration
- December 8: feast of the Immaculate Conception with a fair in the morning.
People
- St. Nicandro, San Marciano, Santa Daria, martyrs
- Antonio de Venafro, Italian Leader
- Leopoldo Pilla, scientist and patriot
- Amico da Venafro, Italian leader
- Edoardo Cimorelli, parliamentarian
- Giovanni de Amicis, judge and historian
- Gennaro Morra, poet and writer
Economy
Agriculture is traditionally conducted at a household level. In particular, the historic production of
Transportation
Venafro has many road and rail connections due to its geographical position, being placed right at the south-western region of Molise. The town is crossed by the SS 85 Venafrana, which connects the
Frazioni
- Ceppagna has about 600 inhabitants. It is almost 300 metres (980 ft) above sea level and lies 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from the capital city. The largest of the villages of Venafro, it rests on the slopes of Mount Sammucro, elevation 1,205 metres (3,953 ft), near the border with Campania. Already inhabited in ancient times, by Romans and Samnites, Ceppagna has considerable historical important sites. The name "Ceppagna" comes from the Latin cippus, meaning engraved marking stone.
- Vallecupa has about 150 inhabitants and is located as the name implies in a small valley on the border with Ontario, Italy near Mount Cesima.
- Le Noci has about 60 inhabitants. This residential settlement is on the slopes of Mount Sambucaro, elevation 1,205 metres (3,953 ft). It is about 400 metres (1,300 ft) above sea level and enjoys a cooler climate than the capital city, from which it is about 5 kilometres (3 mi).
Twin cities
Venafro is
See also
- Venafrum, ancient Roman town
- U.S. Venafro, local football club
- Roccapipirozzi, a village founded by the refugees from Venafro[16]
References
- ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- Istat)
- ^ a b John Murray, A handbook for travelers in southern Italy. Edition 5. Publisher J. Murray, 1865
- ^ John Murray, A handbook for travelers in southern Italy. Edition 5. Publisher J. Murray, 1865
- ^ ISBN 0-904152-28-6
- ^ Cicero De lege agraria ii. 2. 5, pro Planc. 9.
- ^ Horace Carm. ii. 6. 16, Sat. ii. 4. 69; Juv. v. 86; Martial, xiii. 98; Strab. v. pp. 238, 242;
- ^ Plin. iii. 5. s. 9; Lib. Col. p. 239; August Wilhelm Zumpt, De Coloniis p. 347
- ISBN 0-8014-3416-5.)
Emir Sawdan occupied Castrum Benafranum, modern Venafro, in 861.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location (link - ^ a b c d e f g Robert F. Paget. Central Italy: an archaeological guide; the prehistoric, Villanovan, Etruscan, Samnite, Italic, and Roman remains, and the ancient road systems. Publisher Noyes Press, 1973
- ^ John Murray, A handbook for travelers in southern Italy. Edition 5. Publisher J. Murray, 1865
- ^ "Inaugurations - Castello Pandone, Venafro".
- ^ Daniele Ferrara, "Paesaggi del Molise nell'opera di Romeo Musa(1924-1933): Natura-Storia-Identita-Memoria tra perdite e riscoperte." Venefrana: Poligrafica Terenzi, 2014.
- ^ ISBN 1-85828-413-9
- ISBN 1-85828-413-9
- ^ Historical infos at Morrone del Sannio website
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.
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External links
- Official website (in Italian)
- Venafro at Curlie