Campoverde
History
The hamlet of Campoverde, known in the past as Campomorto, was the largest estate of the Roman countryside with a surface area of almost 8,000 hectares. Since the 13th century it was known as San Pietro "in Formola" or "in Formis" for the presence of numerous ditches (Latin "Formis") used to remove stagnant water from the land.
Originally dependent on the Basilica dei Santi Bonifacio e Alessio monastery, the right of emphyteusis was transferred to the Frangipane family, who in turn passed it on to the Annibaldi family, the owners of the estate in the mid-14th century. Later, the property passed to the Savelli family, who were deprived of their rights due to their rebellion against the Pope. The tower of the castle of San Pietro "de Forma" was destroyed to be granted to the condottiero Antonio de Rido, who then sold it to the Apostolic See for 9,000 ducats.
In the document that sanctioned the sale, the estate of Campoverde was included in the borders of the "tenimentum Castri Torre Astura," the "tenimentum Civitatis Velletri," the "tenimentum Castri Nettuno (Italy)," the "tenimentum Conca (Latina)," the "tenimentum Lanuvio," the "Casalis quod dicitur Verposae" (estate of Buon Riposo), the "casalis quod dicitur Casalazzara," the "tenimentum quod dicitur Fossignano," and the "tenimentum delle Le Castella (Cisterna di Latina)."
In the second half of the 15th century, the territory was the scene of a bloody battle between papal troops and those of the Duke of Calabria, who suffered a great defeat which led to the place being named Campo Morto ("Dead Field").
Due to the presence of unhealthy and humid areas, the territory was declared a place of refuge to encourage colonization and cultivation. It wasn't until the 20th century that the Campoverde area was completely reclaimed.
Notes
Today, Campoverde is a hamlet of the municipality of Aprilia, in the province of Latina.
