Foglianise
Welcome to Foglianise, the Heart of Campania in Italy
If you're looking for a destination to visit in Campania, you should consider Foglianise, a town of 3,179 inhabitants in the province of Benevento that was awarded the title of Città d'Italia in 2012.
Foglianise is famous for its Festa del grano, a celebration that takes place in August and is a major tourist attraction for the city. But it's not just that - the town is nestled in a beautiful area at the foot of the Taburno mountains and is ideal for nature lovers and those seeking tranquility.
In this article, I will guide you in discovering the physical geography and history of Foglianise, to help you better understand this wonderful city.
Physical Geography
Territory
Foglianise is located about 15 kilometers west of Benevento and borders the provincial capital. The town of Cautano is adjacent to Foglianise, but the two settlements do not touch directly due to a thin strip of land on which the convent of Santissima Annunziata stands, connecting the town of Vitulano to its hamlet Ponterutto.
The territory of Foglianise is characterized by the presence of the Vitulanese Valley, surrounded by the Taburno mountains. The village is located on the slopes of Mount Caruso, also known as San Michele for the hermitage located there. The town hall is located at an altitude of 350 meters above sea level and the highest point is at 1,125 meters above sea level, while the lowest point is at 59 meters above sea level.
The landscape of Foglianise is enchanting, with hills sloping towards the valley of the Calore Irpino and the Taburno - Camposauro regional park which extends to the east of the city. The Jenga stream crosses the municipal territory.
Climate
The city has a typically Mediterranean climate, with hot and dry summers and mild and rainy winters. According to the climate classification, Foglianise is in "zone D". We are near Campoli del Monte Taburno, where there is a weather station that collects data on the weather conditions in the area.
History
The territory of Foglianise has been inhabited since prehistoric times, as evidenced by the presence of an outdoor station from the final Neolithic period with pottery and obsidian objects found in a locality called Masseria La Palmenta.
In 369, a strong earthquake completely destroyed Foglianise, along with many other villages of Sannio. In 570, with the invasion of the Lombards, the territory of Foglianise was annexed to the district of Tocco Caudio, the most important center in the area, which also housed the bishop's seat. Before the year 1000, this area was ceded by the Duchy of Benevento to Lombard goldsmith Autolo.
In 1004, Foglianise was hit again by an earthquake that caused several damages. In 1138, Roger II of Sicily took possession of the entire area, causing destruction.
In 1303, under the Angevins, an attempt was made to suppress the abbey of Santa Maria in Gruptis, founded by the Benedictines in the 10th century and greatly favored by Frederick II of Swabia. The local population opposed and prevented the suppression of the abbey.
Conclusions
Foglianise is a city that has a lot to offer visitors, from an unforgettable Festa del grano to the stunning landscape of the Vitulanese Valley. Its millennia-old history makes the city even more fascinating and definitely worth a visit. If you are in the area, don't miss the opportunity to discover this gem of Campania.
