Calvizzano
Welcome to Calvizzano: A Friendly Introduction to the Municipality
If you are looking for a hospitable and historically-rich municipality, then you must visit Calvizzano, a charming city in the Campania region of Italy. With a population of over 12,200 residents, Calvizzano is situated in the fertile reclamation plain of Regi Lagni, in the heart of the Campania plain, in a highly urbanized area. The municipality is surrounded by Marano di Napoli, Mugnano di Napoli, Villaricca, Qualiano, and Giugliano in Campania.
Let's Discover the Origin of Calvizzano's Name
There is some ambiguity about the true origin of the name Calvizzano. According to local historian Raffaele Galiero, the name derives from Calvisius. Marco Antonio Syrleto, the first local historian in the seventeenth century, believed that the name originated from the ancient skulls found in this place due to wars and plagues. Finally, the popular version translated the term into "Carvizzano" and then "Calvizzano".
The History of Calvizzano
Although there are no definitive data on the founding of the municipality, Calvizzano has archaeological evidence of ancient Rome, such as the remains of ancient Roman villas. Raffaele Galiero believes that the first nucleus of Calvizzano arose near a deviation of the ancient Via Consolare Campana that arrived at the city of Naples.
During the early Middle Ages, the village underwent the troubled events of the Kingdom of Naples. It became a hamlet only in 1269 and was the fiefdom of the Caracciolo family of Naples for almost the entire fifteenth century. In 1495, it passed to Francesco D'Allegro, Siniscalco of the Kingdom of Sicily. From 1497 to 1504, it was ruled by Antonio de Raho, Auditor and Counselor of Ferrante d'Aragona, who appointed him lifelong lord of Calvizzano. In 1669 Francesco Carnero, collateral counselor of the state of war and colonel of the infantry, bought the hamlet becoming its baron. In 1681, the baroness Margherita Carnero married her cousin, Duke Diego di Pescara, with a papal bull, bringing the hamlet of Calvizzano as her dowry, making her husband Duke of Calvizzano.
In 1799, Admiral Francesco Caracciolo, admiral of the Royal Navy of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, fought against the royal fleet and the restoration of the power of the Bourbons of the Two Sicilies in Naples during the Neapolitan Revolution (1799). Following the repression of the Republic, he took refuge in the municipality, which was once a fiefdom of his family. However, he was betrayed by a servant, and on June 29, 1799, he was arrested and brought on Horatio Nelson's ship, the Foudroyant, to be summarily tried and hanged.
What to Visit in Calvizzano
Calvizzano is a city with natural and historical beauty that makes it a perfect place to visit. The municipality is famous for its ancient Roman villas, whose visit represents a real dive into history. For example, you could visit the historic villa of the ancient Praefectus, the villa Bargeggi, and the one called "a soglia."
Calvizzano: Festive Days
If you decide to visit Calvizzano, I recommend going towards June, as this month is dedicated to the celebrations of the patron saint, San Giovanni Battista. During this period, the city is illuminated by colored lights, and there are several artistic and religious performances.
Conclusion
Calvizzano is a welcoming and historically rich municipality. The city is situated in a strategic position, northwest of Naples, adjacent to Marano di Napoli, Mugnano di Napoli, Villaricca, Qualiano, and Giugliano in Campania. Come and visit us and discover the beauty of Calvizzano, where history and culture come together to create a unique experience.
