Castelnuovo di Conza
Castelnuovo di Conza: a brief history
Castelnuovo di Conza is an Italian municipality in the province of Salerno, Campania, with a population of around 510 inhabitants. The village is located in the upper valley of the Sele and has been inhabited since the Upper Paleolithic period. Over the centuries, the area has been governed by various kingdoms and dynasties, including the Byzantines, Normans, Angevins, Aragonese and Bourbons. In 1805, Napoleon Bonaparte declared the fall of the Bourbon kingdom and feudalism was abolished. After the formation of the national unity state, Southern Italy experienced a strong migratory process towards the United States and northern Europe.
The Great Emigration and Emigration in the 20th Century
In the Sele Valley, emigration in the 20th century mainly focused on Latin American countries and northern Europe, such as Italy. Throughout the century, Castelnuovo merchants moved all over the world, also contributing to the economic growth of the countries where they settled.
The Irpinia earthquake of 1980
In 1980, the Irpinia earthquake devastated Castelnuovo di Conza, killing 86 people and destroying 80% of the buildings. The oldest part of the village, where the Castle was located, was completely destroyed.
Reconstruction and current situation
Today, the historic center of Castelnuovo di Conza has been partially rebuilt and the population mainly lives from agriculture and livestock farming. Monetary resources also come from retirees and remittances from migrants. The village is located in the northwestern foothills of the Lucanian Apennines, at 650 meters in the upper valley of the Sele River. The municipal territory is included between 291 m above sea level (place Temete) and 1,055 m above sea level (place Monte Petrella), with a typically hilly morphology.
The geographical position and the importance of the road junction
Castelnuovo di Conza's geographical position made it an important road junction, thanks to the Apennine pass of the Sella di Conza (700 m above sea level), which allowed the passage from the Adriatic to the Tyrrhenian side, connecting Campania and Irpinia with Lucania on the north-south axis. The area was also favored by the trunk road network that integrated the complex network of communication routes with the regions of central and southern Italy.
In summary, Castelnuovo di Conza is an Italian municipality rich in history and culture. Despite the earthquake that hit the village in 1980, the population had the strength to rebuild and continue living with dignity and pride. The strategic position of the area and its historical importance make Castelnuovo di Conza a place to visit and admire.
