Materdomini
Materdomini: an enchanting place in Caposele
If you want to discover an enchanting place in the Campania region, you must visit Materdomini, a hamlet of Caposele in the province of Avellino. Located at an altitude of 595 meters, it is a small but welcoming community of 735 inhabitants that boasts a very ancient history.
Physical geography: a pearl on the hill
Materdomini is a hamlet of Caposele and is situated on the hill that overlooks the beginning of the high valley of the Sele River, in the province of Avellino. The location has a strategic position because it is close to the mountains and to sources of fresh and clean water. Thanks to its altitude, it offers a unique natural spectacle: a 360-degree panoramic view of the entire Valle del Sele.
History: a chapel dedicated to Santa Maria Materdomini
Materdomini takes its name from an ancient chapel dedicated to Santa Maria Materdomini of remote origin. The first written testimonies of the existence of this chapel date back to the early years of the 16th century. In 1742, the chapel was entrusted by Mons. Giuseppe Nicolai, archbishop of Conza della Campania, to Sant'Alfonso Maria de' Liguori, founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. He added a convent to the ancient chapel from which the Redemptorist Missionaries departed for their evangelizing work for the benefit of the towns of Irpinia and Valle del Sele. It was in this convent that San Gerardo Maiella died on October 16, 1755, at the age of twenty-nine, invoked as the patron saint of mothers and children.
After the death of the saint, beginning in 1799, several families from Caposele moved to the hill of Materdomini and built their own houses. In the last two centuries, in fact, a real built-up center has emerged alongside the Basilica of San Gerardo Maiella, especially in the 1950s onwards.
Basilica of San Gerardo Maiella
The fame of Materdomini is mainly linked to the Basilica of San Gerardo Maiella, the patron saint of Materdomini and one of the most famous saints of Southern Italy. The basilica is an impressive building, with a dome 54 meters high, which towers over the hill like a shining beacon. The interior of the basilica is very suggestive, with numerous statues and ancient and modern paintings created by the most important artists of the time.
Feast of San Gerardo Maiella: a great tradition
The feast of San Gerardo Maiella is celebrated every year on October 16, the day of his death anniversary. The feast is a great tradition for Materdomini. Starting in 1799, it has been expanding more and more, and thanks to the saint, many blessings and graces are received. The celebration begins on October 15 with the lighting of a large bonfire in the square in front of the church, La Bonta'. On the 16th, a grand mass is celebrated, during which the Hymn to San Gerardo Maiella is sung. Following the mass, the statue of the patron saint is carried in procession through the city streets.
Conclusion
In summary, Materdomini is a unique and enchanting place in Caposele, in the province of Avellino. If you love history, religion, and nature, you must visit this place where you can admire the splendid Basilica of San Gerardo Maiella and enjoy a 360-degree view. The Feast of San Gerardo Maiella is one of the highlights of the year and will allow you to get to know the local community and its traditions.
