Campodimele

Campodimele
Comune
Comune di Campodimele

Coat of arms
Campodimele

Location of Campodimele in Italy

Coordinates: 41°23′N 13°32′E / 41.383°N 13.533°E / 41.383; 13.533
Country Italy
Region Lazio
Province / Metropolitan city Latina (LT)
Government
  Mayor Roberto Zannella
Area
  Total 38 km2 (15 sq mi)
Elevation 647 m (2,123 ft)
Population (1 June 2009)
  Total 671
  Density 18/km2 (46/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Campomelani
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 04020
Dialing code 0771
Patron saint St Onuphrius
Saint day 12 June

Campodimele is a town and comune in the province of Latina, in the Lazio region of central Italy. It is located on a steep Karstic hill, between the Monti Ausoni and Monti Aurunci ranges.

The economy is mostly based on agriculture.

History

Campus Mellis rose probably over the ruins of Apiola, a very ancient Latin city, destroyed by Tarquinius Priscus, fifth king of Rome (579 BC); the ruins of Apiola are visible 6 kilometres (4 mi) away from the present-day historic center of Campodimele. In the 6th century AD the Lombards established the first fortified settlement, while in the following century it was part of the possessions of the Monastery of Montecassino.

From 916 it was acquired by the Duchy of Gaeta. Campo de Melle is mentioned again in a donation by the Consul of Fondi in 1072. In 1087, Pope Victor III has a list of the abbey's property sculpted onto the bronze door of the Basilica of Montecassino. In 1384 it became a possession of the Caetani family of Fondi, but, in 1497, King Frederick IV of Naples gave the county of Fondi with the surrounding duchies, including Campodimele, to the Colonna family.

In 1534 Giulia Gonzaga fled here from the Algerian pirate Hayreddin Barbarossa. In 1591 the fief was inherited by Luigi Carafa, Prince of Stigliano. Campodimele gained municipal rights in 1813.

During World War II the Gustav Line passed from Campodimele. Alberto Moravia, who had been deported here, took inspiration from the happenings of the time for his novel La Ciociara.

Main sights

Transportation

Campodimele can be reached through the Liri Valley State Road 82.

Longevity of residents

Campodimele is known for the longevity of its residents, with the town's population now expected to live to an average age of 95.[1][2]

References

Further reading

External links


This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Friday, April 29, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.