Isola del Liri

Isola del Liri
Comune
Comune di Isola del Liri

Coat of arms
Isola del Liri

Location of Isola del Liri in Italy

Coordinates: 41°40′46″N 13°34′22″E / 41.67944°N 13.57278°E / 41.67944; 13.57278Coordinates: 41°40′46″N 13°34′22″E / 41.67944°N 13.57278°E / 41.67944; 13.57278
Country Italy
Region Lazio
Province / Metropolitan city Frosinone (FR)
Frazioni Borgo Nuovo, Capitino, Capitino San Paolo, San Domenico, Selva Alta, Selva Forlì, Via Maria
Government
  Mayor Luciano Duro
Area
  Total 16 km2 (6 sq mi)
Elevation 217 m (712 ft)
Population (2008)
  Total 13,000
  Density 810/km2 (2,100/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Isolani
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 03036
Dialing code 0776
Patron saint Madonna of Loreto

Isola del Liri (simply known as Isola Liri) is an Italian town in Lazio, Frosinone. As its name implies, Isola is situated between two arms of the Liri. The many waterfalls of this river and of the Fibreno are used by factories.

History

Of Volscan origin, after the fall of the Western Roman Empire Isola del Liri was ruled by the Byzantines and then the Lombards. Later it was part of the Duchy of Sora, becoming a ducal seat under the Boncompagni family. In 1796 it was annexed to the Papal States.

The city fell in the Middle Ages, alternatively, under the rule of the Byzantine and Lombard, until it became part of the county of Sora in the Principality of Capua. Isola del Liri was the feud of the dell'Isola (de Insulae) of the twelfth century to the fourteenth century.[1] Among the famous personalities of this family, were Roffredo dell'Isola, Abbot of Monte Cassino, Count d'Arce,[2] and Bartholomew dell'Isola who enjoyed the honors in the seat of Capuano Naples. At the end of the fourteenth century, Isola del Liri was ceded to the Cantelmo family.

It was once in the old Terra di Lavoro region of Campania, but was transferred into Lazio during the Fascist period.

Main sights

The town's main sight is the Castello Boncompagni-Viscogliosi, a fortified palace near two waterfalls, Cascata Grande and Cascata del Valcatoio, each about 30 metres (98 ft) high, and a bridge on river. It is mentioned for the first time in 1100. After the acquisition of the Duchy of Sora by the della Rovere family, it became one of their main residences. It was also housed by their successors as dukes, the Boncompagni; in the 17th century Costanza Sforza turned into a luxurious palace, with biblica frescoes and basreliefs of the duchy's lands, as well as a garden.

About 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) north of the town is the church of San Domenico, erected in the 12th century, which is said to mark the site of the villa of Cicero.

Culture

Liri Blues Festival

The official logo of the Liri Blues Festival

Isola del Liri is the seat of the eponymous blues festival since 1988. Liri Blues is an international festival has been free ever since its first year. Liri Blues is an event that happens every year during a week in July. Concerts are held in the main square (Piazza Boncompagni), in the streets and jam sessions happen late at night.

Here are some of the most important artists who have appeared at Liri Blues: Dr. John (2010), Albert King (1989), Buddy Guy (1989), The Animals (2005), John Mayall (2001), Pinetop Perkins (1989), Robben Ford (2001), Bo Diddley (1997), Luther Allison (1996), Taj Mahal (2005), Charlie Musselwhite (2000, 2007), Jimmy Smith (2004), Al Kooper (2006), Edoardo Bennato (alias Joe Sarnataro) (1993), Eric Bibb (2000, 2003, 2011), James Cotton (1993), Willy DeVille (2007), Jorma Kaukonen (2003), Al Kooper (2006), Jimmy Rogers (1997), and many others.

In 1997, for the 10th edition of the festival, the town of Isola del Liri signed a twinning with the city of New Orleans (Louisiana, USA)[3]

In 2007, celebrating 10 years from the twinning with New Orleans, Liri Blues produced a CD called Omaggio a New Orleans,[4] from a live recording at the festival in 2006.

Piccola Orchestra La Viola and Dr.Sunflower, a band of squeeze boxes and a jug band, played together the old blues of Louisiana in an original way, with traditional instruments and unusual arrangements.

Twin towns

Photo gallery

References

  1. "Notizie di Famiglie Nobili ed Illustri della Citta e Regno di Napoli" de Don Giuseppe Reccho)
  2. Roffredo Dell Isola in Dizionario Biografico – Treccani
  3. "Twinning between Isola del Liri and New Orleans".
  4. Tribute to New Orleans http://www.liribluesfestival.it/OmaggioANewOrleans.aspx

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Isola del Liri.


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