Casalnuovo Monterotaro
Welcome to Casalnuovo Monterotaro, a municipality rich in history and nature
Located in the north-west of the Foggia province and bordering with Molise, Casalnuovo Monterotaro is a Puglian municipality with a population of 1366. The area is surrounded by a vast naturalistic context that makes it particularly suggestive.
The physical geography and history of Casalnuovo Monterotaro
Casalnuovo Monterotaro is one of the municipalities that are part of the northern Dauni mountains and is located near the union of the Dauni Casali together with the neighboring municipalities of Casalvecchio di Puglia and Castelnuovo della Daunia. Furthermore, it is characterized by green spaces and watercourses that flow into the Fortore river.
The location was born between the 9th and 10th century AD from some settlements on the "Monterotaro" hill. The first village was named "Mons Rotarius", a feud owned in 1250 by "Riccardo da Malta". In the 18th century, the village passed under the domination of the princes of Bisignano and was called "Casale Nuovo Monterotaro". From this era dates the construction of the parish church dedicated to Saints Peter and Nicholas and a ducal palace.
Over time, the location has suffered damages caused by seismic events, such as the Molise earthquake of 2002 that caused damages to the municipal building heritage.
The ancient village of Monterotaro
Located 5 kilometers from the center of Casalnuovo, the location of "Monterotaro" was frequented from the 5th-6th century BC to the 1st century BC. It would be a series of settlement realities evolved into a "castrum" in the Lombard period. The hill that hosts Monterotaro owes its name to its geomorphological physiognomy and for this reason was called "Monte Rotondo".
Around the 7th century AD, Monterotaro would have become part of the Duchy of Benevento, as an anti-Byzantine garrison. From the middle of the 12th century, the documentation links the fate of Monterotaro to some powerful Norman feudal families.
The monuments and places of interest of Casalnuovo Monterotaro
Among the most interesting monuments of Casalnuovo Monterotaro, we find the Church of Santa Maria della Rocca, which stands on the only hill of the inhabited center, which has developed over time almost entirely on an ancient ridge path, along a north-south direction. Its erection could be dated around the mid-17th century.
Furthermore, the Church of Saints Peter and Nicholas, erected in the 16th century, is located at the foot of the main street of the town, dedicated to Cardinal Pietro Parente.
Conclusions
In summary, Casalnuovo Monterotaro, a municipality in the province of Foggia in Puglia, is a location that stands out for its history and the surrounding nature. The location is the result of ancient settlements and offers monuments of significant interest and natural beauties that deserve to be discovered. Come and discover Casalnuovo Monterotaro!
