Capua
Santa Maria Capua Vetere: a city with ancient origins
Santa Maria Capua Vetere is a municipality located in the province of Caserta in Campania, with a population of approximately 31,868 people. The city was built upon the ruins of ancient Capua, a Roman city that left numerous visible remains today, such as the Campano Amphitheatre. The name of the city has a dual origin: the first part, "Santa Maria", refers to the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, around which the city was rebuilt after the barbarian invasions. The second part, "Capua Vetere", refers to the ancient city of Capua that was located in the same territory.
From origins to the creation of the municipality of Santa Maria Maggiore
The origins of the city date back to the Villanovan Civilization and the fusion of previous villages. Later, Capua became an Oscan and Etruscan city and was mentioned by Cicero as "the other Rome". In 841, it was destroyed by the Saracens but was reborn in the twelfth century around three hamlets near the Christian basilicas of Santa Maria Maggiore or dei Surechi, San Pietro in Corpo, and Sant'Erasmo in Capitolio. During the period of the communes in the Kingdom of Naples, Santa Maria Maggiore and Sant'Angelo in Formis were incorporated into the municipality of Capua, which only became an independent municipality in 1806 with the name of Santa Maria Maggiore.
The evolution of the city
After the unification of Italy, Santa Maria Maggiore was renamed Santa Maria Capua Vetere to avoid confusion with a homonymous city in Piedmont. The territory of Santa Maria Capua Vetere is particularly fertile and was considered by the Romans part of the "ancient Campania". Today, agriculture coexists with two departments of the University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" and commercial activities. In the past, the city had many industries, which are now mostly abandoned. The city houses the courthouse and other territorial institutions.
Monuments and places of interest
Among the monuments of the city, the Campano Amphitheatre stands out, the second largest in Italy after the Colosseum. Built in the first century AD, it could accommodate up to 60,000 spectators and was used for gladiatorial arenas. Other places of interest include the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, which preserves remains of Roman walls and the crypt of the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, where a treasure of gold coins dating back to the time of Constantine can be admired.
In conclusion
Santa Maria Capua Vetere is a city with a millennial history that has left numerous visible remains today. From the remains of the Campano Amphitheatre to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the city offers many interesting places to visit. In addition to agricultural activities, abandoned industries, and territorial institutions, the city hosts two departments of the University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" and numerous commercial activities.
