Frattamaggiore

Discovering Frattamaggiore: the city of art and history

Frattamaggiore is a beautiful city in Southern Italy, located north of Naples, that boasts a rich history and a fascinating culture. The city has been awarded the title of city of art since 2008 due to its particular beauty and its historical, artistic, and cultural heritage. Let's discover the beauties of Frattamaggiore together.

The physical geography of Frattamaggiore

Frattamaggiore is located in the area of ancient Campania, one of the most fertile areas of the Italian peninsula. The territory of the city is predominantly flat and the city center is located at an altitude of 44 meters above sea level. The area is classified as medium-high seismic risk and the climate falls under zone C, with 1008 degree days.

Frattamaggiore: Campania's Art, History, and Traditions.

The origin of the name Frattamaggiore

The name Frattamaggiore has ancient origins. "Fratta" was the name of a territory of brambles, uncultivated and impassable, that the Benedictine monks cultivated thanks to favorable agricultural contracts. The toponym Fratta basically referred to the ancient Fracta of Atella, which in the Carolingian period was a monastic land around the abbey of Sossio di Miseno. Towards the middle of the thirteenth century, a new tiny village was born about two kilometers from Fratta and was called Frattula or Fracta Piczula, which later took the name of Fratta Maggiore.

The history of Frattamaggiore

The first historical document of Frattamaggiore dates back to 923 and it was an ancient fraction of Atella. In the thirteenth century, a small group of scattered Atellans settled in the area, giving rise to the village of Frattula. In 1310, the city took the name of Fratta Maggiore. Throughout history, Frattamaggiore underwent numerous dominations: from the Angevins to the Bourbons, from the Normans to the Lombards, to the Romans.

The artistic beauties of Frattamaggiore

Frattamaggiore is a city of art that boasts numerous historical works and monuments. The municipal palace, with its neoclassical facade, is a beautiful example of late eighteenth-century architecture. There are numerous churches and places of worship, including the Church of the Most Holy Annunciation, the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, and the Church of San Giovanni Battista. Among the most important historical monuments of Frattamaggiore, there are the Castle of Frattamaggiore, the Fountain of the Putti, and the Teatro Comunale.

The culture and traditions of Frattamaggiore

Frattamaggiore is a city that preserves numerous cultural and folk traditions. One of the most important is the feast of San Giuseppe, which is held every year on March 19. During the festival, the city is decorated with lights and colorful flowers and music and folk dances are organized. The city is also known for its cuisine, with typical dishes such as fried pizza, buffalo mozzarella, and pasta alla genovese.

Conclusions

In summary, Frattamaggiore is a city of art and history that preserves numerous artistic beauties and cultural traditions. The city is an integral part of the historic-geographic region of Terra di Lavoro and boasts an enviable geographical position, a few kilometers from Naples and the Campanian coast. If you have the opportunity to visit Campania, a trip to Frattamaggiore is an experience not to be missed.

Paola Santoro
Wrote by Paola Santoro
Updated Tuesday, Feb 8, 2022