Campolattaro
Discovering Campolattaro
Hello everyone! Today we'll be talking about Campolattaro, a small municipality in the province of Benevento in Campania, with a population of 955 inhabitants. It's a town surrounded by nature, dominated by Mount Sauco, which reaches an altitude of 572 meters, and is crossed by the Tammaro River. Before we learn more about the history of this town, let's analyze its physical geography.
Physical Geography
As mentioned, Campolattaro has an altitude that ranges from 322 to 572 meters above sea level, with an altimetric difference of 250 meters. The Campolattaro dam was built within the municipal territory, which allows for the accumulation of up to 10 million cubic meters of water. This site is very popular among birdwatchers.
The history of Campolattaro
The name "Campolattaro" first appears in two documents from the 12th century, the Chronicon Beneventanum and the Catalogus Baronum. In the first, it's called "Campugattari," while in the second it's referred to as "Campugactarum," and is owned by Goffredo, son of Pagano Montefuscoli, Baron of the County of Buonalbergo. It's believed that the name of the municipality derives from the Latin word "campus" and the Frankish proper name Gactarius (Gattario), widely spread throughout central-northern Italy until the Duchy of Spoleto. The village, which probably was located in a different position from the current one, could have been named after a character of rank during the time of the conquest of the Duchy of Benevento by Guido IV of Spoleto.
According to the Chronicon Beneventanum, in 1138 Campolattaro was sacked and burned by Roger II of Sicily, because it sided with Rainulfo di Alife. In 1291, the fief was granted to Pascale di Palma, a Norman nobleman, after the death without heirs of Mariella, daughter of Tommaso, lord of Campolattaro and Monterone. In 1445, Alfonso V of Aragon granted Luigi di Capua the mere and mixed empire over the lands and castles of Morcone, Campolattaro, San Giovanni Rotondo, and Fragneto. In 1473, the condottiero Matteo di Capua donated the fief to his nephew Fabrizio I°.
Curiosities of Campolattaro
The territory of Campolattaro preserves some curiosities. For example, the Church of San Bartolomeo, mentioned in some 11th-century documents, preserves within it an 11th-century cross and an icon of the Virgin with Child, an example of Byzantine painting. The ruins of the ancient castle, built by the Normans in the 12th century, are also part of the church. But that's not all, in Campolattaro are preserved the remains of the ancient Roman Theater of Fine Burgo, dating between the 1st and 2nd century AD. And how can we forget the famous "source of love," where the emitted water is said to have aphrodisiac properties? ;)
Typical products from Campolattaro
Now let's move on to the typical products of the area. Campolattaro is famous for its cheeses, such as caciocavallo and ricotta, but also for olives and extra virgin olive oil, of excellent quality thanks to the fertile soil on which the olive trees grow. Don't miss the chance to taste the famous "migliaccio," a typical carnival dessert made with semolina and raisins.
How to reach Campolattaro
Campolattaro is located in Campania, about 2 hours and 15 minutes by car from Naples. To get there by car, you have to take the A16 motorway and exit at Benevento, then take the SS372 state road towards Campobasso. If you prefer public transportation, it's possible to reach Campolattaro by bus, thanks to the connections provided by the Benevento-Campolattaro line, managed by the CTP company.
Conclusion
Here's a brief overview of Campolattaro, a place surrounded by nature and rich in history and traditions. If you're looking for a weekend getaway to relax away from the stress of the city, while savoring the typical products of the area, this is the place for you. See you at the next discovery!
