Domicella
Getting to know Domicella
Hello everyone! Today I will talk to you about Domicella, a small town in the heart of Campania with an extraordinary history. Located in the province of Avellino, this hamlet is situated in the beautiful valley of Lauro, at the foot of Mount Saro. With its 1840 inhabitants, Domicella is a welcoming and very hospitable town that deserves to be discovered.
Physical geography
Domicella is located at the border with the Nolano-Vesuvius area, towards which it gravitates from many points of view. The municipality is a single urban agglomeration with nearby Carbonara di Nola. The view from the village is breathtaking: the vast Campanian plain extends as far as the eye can see, creating a scenario of rare beauty. Thanks to its privileged location, Domicella is an ideal destination for trekking and outdoor excursions lovers.
History
Domicella has a thousand-year history: its territory was mainly frequented starting from the late Republican period, when mainly agricultural settlements arose throughout the area. In 1929, during the demolition of the old parish rectory, a large imperial age rustic villa was discovered, which testifies the importance of agriculture for the local economy.
The toponym of the town derives from the Latin domus-cella (i.e. house deposit, granary, also in the meaning of the habitation of slaves dedicated to agriculture), or according to others, from domus Coeli (i.e. Villa of the Coelia, a noble family of Roman landowners whose presence is attested in imperial times in Pompeii by Nola). The locality is mentioned in a fifteenth-century writing by Ambrogio Leone under the name of Democella.
The small inhabited nucleus was already in possession of a church dedicated to Our Lady of Grace in 1093, the year in which the same building was donated by Bishop Sassone to the Benedictine Fathers of S. Lorenzo d'Aversa. With the end of the Norman conquest of southern Italy (1199), the hamlet was included, in the same way as the other small centers of the valley, in the fiefdom of Lauro, and, in 1270, of Raimondo de Vaudemond. Subsequently, Domicella was of the Balzo (1277), of the Orsini of Nola (1352), of the Sanseverino (1529), of the Pignatelli (1541) and of the Lancellotti (1632).
What to see in Domicella
Domicella is a place worth visiting for its natural beauty and its thousand-year history. Among the main attractions of the town, there is the church of Our Lady of Grace, the main place of worship since the eleventh century. The bell tower of the church is one of the most characteristic elements of its architecture.
Another place of interest is the rustic villa of imperial age, discovered in 1929, which testifies the importance of agriculture for the area.
Domicella is also an excellent starting point for outdoor excursions. With its well-marked trails, the municipality is perfect for those who love trekking and hiking. One of the most beloved destinations by tourists is Mount Saro, which offers a spectacular view of the Campanian plain.
People and Food
Domicella is famous for its traditional cuisine, strictly linked to the land and local products. Among the typical dishes of the municipality, there are cavatelli with chicory, pasta with beans, chicken cacciatore and polenta taragna. The inhabitants are very friendly and helpful, and there are many opportunities to socialize and get to know local traditions.
Getting there
Domicella is easily accessible by car or public transport. By car, the town is located a few kilometers from the exit of the Tangenziale di Avellino. By public transport, it is possible to take the train to the Nola-San Vitaliano station, from where many buses depart for the municipality.
In summary, Domicella is an excellent destination for those who want to get to know the thousand-year history and natural beauty of Campania. With its medieval architecture, traditional cuisine, and friendly and helpful population, Domicella is a place worth visiting and discovering.
