Poggio Sannita is a ''
comune
A (; : , ) is an administrative division of Italy, roughly equivalent to a township or municipality. It is the third-level administrative division of Italy, after regions () and provinces (). The can also have the City status in Italy, titl ...
'' (municipality) in the
Province of Isernia
The province of Isernia () is a Provinces of Italy, province in the Molise region of Italy. The provincial capital is the city Isernia and the president of the province is Alfredo Ricci. The province of Isernia has an area of and a population o ...
in the
Italian
Italian(s) may refer to:
* Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries
** Italians, a Romance ethnic group related to or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom
** Italian language, a Romance languag ...
region
Molise
Molise ( , ; ; , ) is a Regions of Italy, region in Southern Italy. Until 1963, it formed part of the region of Abruzzi e Molise together with Abruzzo. The split, which did not become effective until 1970, makes Molise the newest region in Ital ...
, located about northwest of
Campobasso
Campobasso (, ; ) is a city and ''comune'' in southern Italy, the capital of the region of Molise and of the province of Campobasso. It is located in the high basin of the Biferno river, surrounded by Sannio and Matese mountains.
Campobas ...
and about northeast of
Isernia
Isernia () is a town and ''comune'' in the southern Italian region of Molise, and the capital of the province of Isernia.
Geography
Situated on a rocky crest rising from between the Carpino and the Sordo rivers, the plan of Isernia still refl ...
. Poggio Sannita (Caccavone in Poggese) is on a promontory surrounded by the Verrino and Sente rivers,
[S. P. Oakley. The hill-forts of the Samnites. Publisher: University of Michigan ] (tributaries of the
Trigno
The Trigno (Latin ''Trinius'') is an Italian river. It originates in the Apennine Mountains
The Apennines or Apennine Mountains ( ; or Ἀπέννινον ὄρος; or – a singular with plural meaning; )Latin ''Apenninus'' (Greek or ) ...
river) both mostly torrential in character, especially the latter, which dries up completely during the summer.
Etymology
The town has the special feature of having changed its name in 1922 from the ancient name of Caccavone to the current name Poggio Sannita, which is derived from the ancient
Samnite civilization that once populated the area. The previous name probably refers to the fact that in ancient times the town was the site of production of the ''caccavo'', a sort of big pot or pots used by farmers for milk coagulation, that still remains present in the
coat of arms
A coat of arms is a heraldry, heraldic communication design, visual design on an escutcheon (heraldry), escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat, or tabard (the last two being outer garments), originating in Europe. The coat of arms on an escutcheon f ...
of the municipality.
Geography
The village is on a hillside high and overlooks the valley of Verrino near the natural boundary with
Abruzzo
Abruzzo (, ; ; , ''Abbrìzze'' or ''Abbrèzze'' ; ), historically also known as Abruzzi, is a Regions of Italy, region of Southern Italy with an area of 10,763 square km (4,156 sq mi) and a population of 1.3 million. It is divided into four ...
. Its territory is between above sea level with an average elevation of . Seismic classification: medium.
Topography
The topography of the area is the result of a development from the southwest to the northeast. The oldest part of town is located in the southern part where later development moved toward the northeast. The shape of the city's contour follows the hillside on which it rests with an elongated inner city. The areas most recent structures are therefore in the northernmost part of the city. In the lower areas and north of the city the so-called PIP, where industrial plants are located.
[De Giovanni. Marcello; Istituto di fonetica e dialettologia. Molise. Publisher University of Michigan Digitized Mar 31, 2008 ]
Frazionis (localities)
The following is the list of localities of the town starting with the most populous:
*Sente
Chocolate
*Valle del Porco
*San Cataldo
*Rimanci
*Quarto II
*Castel di Croce
*Carapellese*
*Scalzavacca*
* Carapellese and Scalzavacca are the subject of a territorial dispute between the municipality of Poggio Sannita and
Schiavi di Abruzzo and
Civitanova del Sannio
Civitanova del Sannio is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Isernia in the Italian region Molise, located about northwest of Campobasso and about northeast of Isernia.
Geography
Civitanova del Sannio borders the following municipalit ...
.
History
Pre-Roman to Medieval
The history of the area's pre-Roman originates with the Caraceni shepherds, a subpopulation of the Samnites. It seems that they did head a confederation of Samnite tribes, and are referred to in a shrine located in "Bovianus Vetus" or "Caracenum" at
Pietrabbondante
Pietrabbondante is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Isernia in the Italian region Molise, located about northwest of Campobasso and about northeast of Isernia.
Pietrabbondante borders the following municipalities: Agnone, Castelve ...
.
The
Oscan language
Oscan is an extinct Indo-European language of southern Italy. The language is in the Osco-Umbrian or Sabellic branch of the Italic languages. Oscan is therefore a close relative of Umbrian and South Picene.
Oscan was spoken by a number of t ...
found on archeological remains in the countryside confirms the Samnites being present in Poggio Sannita. In Roman times, it was the seat of military camps and agricultural villas, as evidenced by the discovery of a sword allegedly dating back to Roman-Samnite wars of the 2nd century B.C. The origin of the town name Caccavone came about during the high
Middle Ages
In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and ...
in the time of
Saracen
upright 1.5, Late 15th-century German woodcut depicting Saracens
''Saracen'' ( ) was a term used both in Greek and Latin writings between the 5th and 15th centuries to refer to the people who lived in and near what was designated by the Rom ...
’s invasion between 860 and 900 AD. Several raids by the Saracens brought ruin and devastation to Isernia,
Venafro
Venafro (Latin: ''Venafrum''; Greek: ) 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, elevat ...
and
Bojano
Bojano or Boiano is a town and ''comune'' in the province of Campobasso, Molise, south-central Italy.
History
Originally named Bovianum, it was settled by the 7th century BC. As the capital of the Pentri, a tribe of the Samnites, it played a majo ...
. In this era, the inhabitants of the frazioni Casale formed a castle called "Borgo Castello”. In 953, the town was still small and became principles under
Beneventan feudal Lords
Pandulf II of Benevento
Pandulf II the Old (died August 1014) was the prince of Benevento from 981 and prince of Capua (as Pandulf III) from 1008 or 1009 to his death, and was the son of Landulf III who was co-prince between 959 and 968. Pandulf was first associated as c ...
and
Landulf III of Benevento Landulf III (died December 968 or 969) was Prince of Capua (as Landulf V) and Benevento from 959 as co-prince with his father, Landulf II, and brother Pandulf Ironhead. In 961, he would be co-prince with only his brother after the death of his fa ...
whose lineage was
Lombard. Next to the castle which was the highest hill of the village and residence of feudal lords, a church was built and subsequently developed the district Rinsacca and then the ward door (door of the Castle). The town acquired the appearance of a fortified village, as it was surrounded by thick walls and mighty rock walls, with two entrances to the village: Porto Maddalena site that Poggesi named “mbuorzie", and Castle Gate which is the current arc of the Church of Santa Vittoria. The village grew larger along the circular road surrounding the town itself and formed a series of houses called the Conicella neighborhood, which surrounds the village's oldest castle and the Church. The area remained limited in this area until the 17th century.
[Ferrari, Angelo. Feudi prenormanni dei Borrello tra Abruzzo e Molise. Publisher: Editrice UNI Service, 2007 ]
Feudal era
The nobles of Caccavone established a
Benedictine
The Benedictines, officially the Order of Saint Benedict (, abbreviated as O.S.B. or OSB), are a mainly contemplative monastic order of the Catholic Church for men and for women who follow the Rule of Saint Benedict. Initiated in 529, th ...
monastery on the hill of San Cataldo, with several secondary abbeys in the hills nearby, which is evidenced by some of the graves and tombs. In 740 AD, the Beneventan principle lords Pandulf and Landulf granted the Caccavone fiefdom to Prince Radoisio, son of
Count Berardo
Count (feminine: countess) is a historical title of nobility in certain European countries, varying in relative status, generally of middling rank in the hierarchy of nobility. Pine, L. G. ''Titles: How the King Became His Majesty''. New York: ...
.
Around the year 1070, the barons of the
Kingdom of Naples
The Kingdom of Naples (; ; ), officially the Kingdom of Sicily, was a state that ruled the part of the Italian Peninsula south of the Papal States between 1282 and 1816. It was established by the War of the Sicilian Vespers (1282–1302). Until ...
including Raul De Petra Ugone's son Act, the feudal lord of Caccavone, who had been among those who had followed
William the Conqueror
William the Conqueror (Bates ''William the Conqueror'' p. 33– 9 September 1087), sometimes called William the Bastard, was the first Norman king of England (as William I), reigning from 1066 until his death. A descendant of Rollo, he was D ...
to attend a
crusade
The Crusades were a series of religious wars initiated, supported, and at times directed by the Papacy during the Middle Ages. The most prominent of these were the campaigns to the Holy Land aimed at reclaiming Jerusalem and its surrounding t ...
to the
Holy Land
The term "Holy Land" is used to collectively denote areas of the Southern Levant that hold great significance in the Abrahamic religions, primarily because of their association with people and events featured in the Bible. It is traditionall ...
.
In 1269, in the age of Anjou, Paolo de Giga, soldier, was made Baron of Caccavone by direct investment by
Charles I of Anjou
Charles I (early 1226/12277 January 1285), commonly called Charles of Anjou or Charles d'Anjou, was King of Sicily from 1266 to 1285. He was a member of the royal Capetian dynasty and the founder of the House of Anjou-Sicily. Between 1246 a ...
. Stefano di Agnone was his successor who would then combines the two castles of Caccavone and
Agnone
Agnone ( Neapolitan: ''Agnèune'') is a ''comune'' in the province of Isernia, in the Molise region of southern Italy, some northwest of Campobasso. Agnone is known for the manufacture of bells by the Marinelli Bell Foundry. The town of Agnone ...
. In 1291, the latter was succeeded by Roland Gisulfo who still maintained the unity of the two castles. The last feudal lord of Caccavone Petra was Charles II who succeeded his father Vincenzo in 1806, the same year in which the King of Naples
Joachim Murat
Joachim Murat ( , also ; ; ; 25 March 1767 – 13 October 1815) was a French Army officer and statesman who served during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Under the French Empire he received the military titles of Marshal of the ...
, abolished the feudal rights, while retaining the titles.
Modern
The existence of the “University (town hall or common) of Caccavone” was created in 1704, the same year as a territorial dispute with Agnone. Caccavone resisted legal action against the domination of the Universities of
Civitanova del Sannio
Civitanova del Sannio is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Isernia in the Italian region Molise, located about northwest of Campobasso and about northeast of Isernia.
Geography
Civitanova del Sannio borders the following municipalit ...
and
Schiavi di Abruzzo which had areas inhabited by Caccavonesi. In 1819, the village of
Castelverrino then broke away from the area becoming autonomous (the present town of Castelverrino). A notable day for the area, “Holy Thursday” April 17, 1862 when 42 soldiers and Mayor Pasquale Antinucci fought against a large group of "Chiavone" bandits led by Louis Alonso said in a clash that killed 10 militiamen and the mayor in Salcito. In 1912 and 1913 the municipality approved the resolutions for the return of the district Scalzavacca by the town of Civitanova Carapellese and Schiavi di Abruzzo. In 1914 the Provincial Council of Molise judged the disputed Caccavone Carapellese property of the district, but
World War I
World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
and other Italian events protracted any attempt to resolve the measure.
Demographic
In the census of 1991 the population was 1,217 inhabitants, ten years later they suffered a decrease of 22.76% to 940, and depopulation is due to the small number of births and a large number of deaths due to a very elderly population. The rate of decrease of the population remains constant, as the area's population fell to 845 units of which 392 males and 453 females, divided in 423 families consisting of an average of 2 components.
[All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat]
Landmarks
Palazzo Ducale
The Ducal Palace was built in the 15th century as the residence of the Dukes of Caccavone and was inhabited until the early 19th century after a restoration occurred in the 18th century. It is called a "Royal Palace" because it seems that a Queen of Bourbon descent of the
Kingdom of the Two Sicilies
The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies () was a kingdom in Southern Italy from 1816 to 1861 under the control of the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, a cadet branch of the House of Bourbon, Bourbons. The kingdom was the largest sovereign state by popula ...
may have resided there for a short time. After the city administration's restoration with local stone, it reopened to the public in 1994. It currently houses the town library, and a permanent photo exhibition on the third floor and the office of civil protection.
Church of Santa Vittoria
The Church of Santa Vittoria is the mother
Catholic Church
The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
of the area placed in the heart of the
medieval
In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of World history (field), global history. It began with the fall of the West ...
village, although it is not the original building. The Church has three asymmetric cruise
naves
The nave () is the central part of a church, stretching from the (normally western) main entrance or rear wall, to the transepts, or in a church without transepts, to the chancel. When a church contains side aisles, as in a basilica-type b ...
resting on a base rock. The current plan of the church, raised, covered the
ossuary
An ossuary is a chest, box, building, well, or site made to serve as the final resting place of human skeletal remains. They are frequently used where burial space is scarce. A body is first buried in a temporary grave, then after some years th ...
, where presumably the Dukes of Caccavone are buried. Notable artwork and craftsmanship in the church are the paintings of the Souls in Purgatory, the Last Supper and St. Anthony Abbot, the reliquary and the urn with a bone of the arm of San Prospero, the patron saint of Poggio, the organ of 1769, the pulpit, the altar, the font and the statue of San Prospero of 1764.
Church of San Rocco
It is the second church dedicated to San Rocco in the village. The decorations of the altar dedicated to the saint of the late Baroque. The structure of the church dates from the late 7th century.
Church of the Madonna delle Grazie
Located outside the village, the church was built around 1590, which for 5 years functioned as the main church due to the collapse of the Cathedral from an earthquake that shook the Roman Catholic Diocese of
Trivento
Trivento is a ''comune'' (municipality) and Catholic episcopal see in the Province of Campobasso in the southern Italian region Molise, located about northwest of Campobasso.
Trivento borders the following municipalities: Castelguidone, Castelma ...
.
Piazza XVII Aprile
The square in the center of the town is the main venue of Poggio Sannita. There is a fountain with a nearby village green. It takes its name from the date of death of 10 Poggesi citizens (including the mayor) who battled bandits in 1862. A short walk from the square, the monument to the fallen back on a slab of stone the names of Poggesi citizens killed in wars with an original cannon.
Belvedere "Colle Calvario"
Colle Calvario is headquarters of the municipal gardens and the highest point in town. It is a hangout for young people with a panorama of the Verrino Valley.
Belvedere "Ara Giagnagnera"
A garden that provides 360 degree views of Agnone to Castelverrino.
Area attrezzata di Quarto II
Natural oasis in the verdant valley of Verrino equipped for camping and campers.
Culture
Events
March 25, Our Lady of Grace, Holy Mass, procession and fireworks.
1st Sunday of June, Saint Lucia, Mass, procession, fireworks and festivity to the streets.
July 2, Feast of Our Lady of Grace, Holy Mass, procession, fireworks and street festival.
August 16, San Rocco, much revered by Poggesi, Mass and popular games.
August 17, San Cataldo, Mass, procession, fireworks, display of local products and great party in the district of the same name.
August 21, San Prospero, patron Holy Mass, procession, fireworks.
August 22, San Rocco, Mass, procession, fireworks and street festival.
September 13, Dedication of the Mother Church.
Last Saturday in September, San Domenico, much revered by Poggesi, Mass, procession, fireworks and.
Last Sunday in September, Madonna delle Grazie, Mass, procession, fireworks and street festival.
December 23, Santa Vittoria, much venerated by Poggesi, mass.
Exhibitions
On the third floor of the Palazzo Ducale is a permanent photographic exhibition on the theme: "Poggio Sannita: the places and people" with many period and recent photographs.
Sports
Poggese sports focuses mainly on
soccer
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 Football player, players who almost exclusively use their feet to propel a Ball (association football), ball around a rectangular f ...
and
tennis
Tennis is a List of racket sports, racket sport that is played either individually against a single opponent (singles (tennis), singles) or between two teams of two players each (doubles (tennis), doubles). Each player uses a tennis racket st ...
. Every summer the big sporting event is the neighborhood soccer tournament; pits four teams representing precisely the opposite quarters of the town namely: Santa Vittoria or "Conicella”, Santa Maria, and" Plaza ", San Rocco and Saint Lucia or "Mill" title holder. Teams are formed by residents by their location in the city.
The recently built sports facility for the town houses a soccer field with artificial grass, lighting and grandstands, and a tennis court equipped with individual seats
Gastronomy
Local products include the area's high quality olive oil for which the municipality has joined the consortium "''La città dell'olio''"; wine (until recently celebrated in a ''Festival of Grapes''), honey handcrafted by some Poggesi, and in recent years a considerable collection of truffles.
The typical dishes of the area are represented by means le sagne a pezzate (
lasagna
Lasagna (, ; ), also known by the plural form lasagne (), is a type of pasta
Pasta (, ; ) is a type of food typically made from an Leavening agent, unleavened dough of wheat flour mixed with water or Eggs as food, eggs, and formed in ...
), cavati (
gnocchi
Gnocchi are a varied family of pasta-like dumplings in Italian cuisine. They are made of small rolls of dough, such as those composed of a simple combination of wheat flour,Buonassisi, recipe #831-833 potato,Buonassisi, recipe #854-857 egg,Buonas ...
), the cic lievt (typical pasta dough), the palette cheese and eggs (eggs and cheese balls) and magliatiell (
roulade
A roulade () is a dish of filled rolled meat or pastry. Roulade can be savory or sweet. Swiss roll is an example of a sweet roulade. Traditionally found in various European cuisines, the term ''roulade'' originates from the French word ''roule ...
of lamb) as well as various quality sausages.
Notable residents
*Maria De Cosmo Horatiis, the most eminent surgeon in southern Italy in the first half of the 1800s.
References
External links
Official website
{{authority control
Cities and towns in Molise