Forchia
Forchia: the Municipality of Campania
Forchia is a small municipality in the province of Benevento, Campania, with a population of about 1190 inhabitants. The town is located in the Valle Caudina, at the foot of the mountains of Partenio, Durazzano, and Taburno. The area is characterized by hills and steep slopes, with a portion of the territory overlooking the Caserta side, where a large flat area extends.
The physical geography of Forchia
The area of the municipality is mapped in the I.G.M. of Montesarchio III SE on sheet N°173 of "Benevento" of the carta d'Italia.
The history of Forchia
The town seems to have origins dating back to the Roman Empire, and its name could derive from the Latin word ''forculae," referring to the famous Battle of the Caudine Forks in 321 B.C. It was a Lombard district (gastaldato) annexed to the Principality of Salerno. In 849 A.D., the emperor Ludovico, in the division of the Principality of Benevento, left Forchia to the prince of Salerno Siconolfo, becoming the border between the two principalities. In 1139, the gastaldato of Forchia, together with the entire principality, evolved into the Kingdom of Sicily, which lasted for seven centuries. Forculum continued to be part of a duchy during that time. It was completely destroyed in the earthquake of 1456 that struck the entire Campania region.
The symbols of Forchia
Many of the municipalities of Sannio compete for the historical episode of the Caudine Forks, however, only Forchia has obtained a municipal coat of arms that depicts the representation of the yoke, in some way sanctioning the attribution of the place of the famous historical episode as exclusive property.
In summary, Forchia is a small town in the province of Benevento with an ancient history that can be rediscovered by exploring its symbols and the physical geography of the territory.
