Castelvenere
Discovering Castelvenere: physical geography and territory
Castelvenere is an Italian municipality with about 2,383 inhabitants located in the province of Benevento, in the region of Campania. The communal territory borders the cities of Guardia Sanframondi to the northeast, Telese Terme and San Salvatore Telesino to the west, Solopaca to the south, and San Lorenzello to the northwest. The municipality is crossed by the Calore Irpino river and the Seneta stream. Located in the Valle Telesina, Castelvenere stands at 119 meters above sea level and is divided into four districts: Foresta, Marraioli, Tore, and Petrara.
Origins of the name: from deities to Bourbons
The original name of the municipality was "Véneri," perhaps because there was a temple dedicated to the goddess Venus in the area. Only in the 14th century, it is mentioned by the name of "Castrum Veneris," and the term "Vieneri" dates back to 1308. In 1638, the name "Castiel Venere" is found in Giampiero Gallarano's records, and it is used to describe the castle built by the Monsorio family. In addition, various sources dated from 1671 to 1807 attribute to the hamlet the names "Veneri," "Castel Veneri," and "Castello Venere." In 1811, the word "Castelvenere" is definitively cited in the "Decree for the new division of the fourteen provinces of the Kingdom of Naples."
History: from the Middle Ages to Italian unification
From 1151 to 1460, Castelvenere was a fiefdom of the Sanframondo family of Norman origin; later, it became owned by the Monsorio family. In 1532, the municipality had 36 families, which became seventy at the end of the sixteenth century. In 1638, after a careful evaluation of the fiefdom, it was bought by Lelio Carfora, governor of Cerreto Sannita, on behalf of the Carafa family. In 1688, an earthquake caused damage to the village. Starting from 1861, Castelvenere became part of the province of Benevento.
History: from Italian unification to today
In 1898, excavations were carried out, revealing a pile-dwelling settlement. In addition to the pile-dwelling, which was 25 meters long, 14 wide, and supported by 99 vertically driven poles in the ground, bones of the mouflon, siliceous nuclei, and tips belonging to the Iron Age were also found. On October 9, 1943, near the church of Santa Maria della Foresta, three farmers were brutally killed by Nazi soldiers. On February 18, 1999, Cicciano twinned with Castelvenere. The pact was signed with a delegation of Cicciano's led by the mayor and the parish priest, who were solemnly welcomed by their counterparts of Castelvenere and reciprocated the visit on February 21.
Castelvenere has a very ancient history with various testimonies, such as the remains of the pile-dwelling settlement. The town, thanks to its natural beauties and historical sites, has much to offer visitors.
