Castello del Matese
Castello del Matese: history and territory
Castello del Matese, known until 1970 as Castello d'Alife, is a small municipality in the province of Caserta, in Campania, with a population of about 1390 inhabitants. Located near the border between Campania and Molise, between San Gregorio Matese and Piedimonte Matese, the municipal territory has an area of 21.48 km², which includes an inhabited center and an agricultural area.
The village is located on a terrace between the valleys of Rivo and Torano at 476 meters above sea level and is surrounded by green hills and mountains. The municipal territory of Castello del Matese has a long history dating back to the Samnite era, who used it as a defensive fortress. The medieval castle, built with local stone during the Norman domination, testifies to its importance as a fortification.
The village, which has experienced moments of prosperity and difficulties, obtained administrative autonomy in 1752, but due to the lack of economic resources, it requested the union with Piedimonte in 1762. In 1803, however, it returned to being an independent municipality with the name of Castello di Piedimonte and then changing its name to Castello d'Alife in 1862 and finally to Castello del Matese in 1970.
Symbols
The flag of Castello del Matese, which is a green and white divided drapery, was granted by decree of the President of the Republic on March 8, 2017. The municipal coat of arms was recognized by decree of the head of government on October 21, 1928.
Monuments and places of interest
One of the main places of interest in Castello del Matese is the medieval castle, which still preserves some circular towers with a shoe-shaped base and stretches of fortress walls. The castle was built using local stone during the Norman domination and was the subject of numerous sieges.
In addition to the castle, Castello del Matese also has other tourist attractions, such as the Sanctuary of Madonna delle Grazie, located in the hilly area of the village, built in 1600 with a stone façade.
Furthermore, the village has a parish church dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, which was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1980. The church has a bell tower 30 meters high and is located in the main square of Castello del Matese.
Among the other places of interest in the village are the public garden and the Ethnographic Museum dedicated to the life of the ancient inhabitants of the municipal territory.
Castello del Matese is also an ideal starting point for naturalistic excursions and trekking in the mountain range of Matese, famous for its abundance of flora and fauna.
Conclusions
In summary, Castello del Matese is a delightful and peaceful municipality located in the province of Caserta, in Campania. With its history full of events and the natural beauty of the surrounding hills, the village offers a variety of tourist attractions for visitors. The medieval castle, the Sanctuary of Madonna delle Grazie, the parish church of St. Michael the Archangel, the public garden, and the Ethnographic Museum are just some of the tourist destinations that can be visited. Finally, hiking enthusiasts can take advantage of Castello del Matese's location to discover the wonderful natural landscapes of Matese.
