Frattaminore
Frattaminore: a Campanian municipality with a millennial history
Frattaminore, a municipality in the metropolitan city of Naples in Campania, is a small city with a long history. Formerly known as Pomigliano d'Atella, the city now has a population of just over 15,000 inhabitants. The flat territory of the city borders with the province of Caserta, forming a single urban area with the municipalities of Sant'Arpino and Orta di Atella.
Territory
Frattaminore's territory is flat, constituting the northernmost end of the metropolitan city of Naples. Frattaminore is located in the conurbation north of Naples, as part of the Frattese area. The city borders with the municipalities of Frattamaggiore and Crispano, as well as Sant'Arpino and Orta di Atella in the province of Caserta. The northern part of the Municipality falls within the territory of the ancient city of Atella.
History
Frattaminore has a history dating back to the second half of the 13th century, when some families moved to then Fracta to build a new village next to the feudal lord's palace. Subsequently, the village was called Fractula and then Frattapicula around 1282 to distinguish it from the other Fracta which in the meantime had added the adjective "major". After the unification of Italy, the municipality changed its name to Frattaminore. The issuance of the Royal Decree of May 15, 1890, no. 6871 merged the municipality of Pomigliano d'Atella with the fraction of Fratta Piccola; the Prime Minister was Francesco Crispi, to whom one of the squares of the municipality is named after.
Society
In recent years, local media have coined the term "frattaminorese". However, the inhabitants are more correctly distinguished as pomiglianesi and frattapiccolesi, with reference to the ancient settlements of the municipality. Patron saint festivals are an important part of Frattaminore's social life. The city celebrates two patron saint festivals, one for each of the ancient settlements.
Patron saint festivals
The ancient Pomigliano d'Atella, with its parish church of San Simeone profeta, solemnly celebrates the Virgin Mary every third Sunday of May. The procession during these days brings the statue of the Madonna della Pietà from the parish of San Simone profeta to the chapel of Madonna Dell'Arco. A distinctive element of this event is the presence of renowned band concerts (so-called "touring bands") that enliven the celebration. The area of Fratta Piccola, on the other hand, celebrates Saint Maurice martyr, the patron saint to whom the local parish is dedicated. The patron saint festival falls on the week following Easter and experienced a period of particular splendor between the 80s and the first half of the 90s.
In conclusion, Frattaminore is a Campanian city with a millennial history, from the birth of the village of Fractula to the merger of the municipalities of Pomigliano d'Atella with the fraction of Fratta Piccola. The patron saint festivals are an occasion to celebrate and keep alive the tradition and roots of the city. The celebrations of Madonna della Pietà and Saint Maurice martyr are an opportunity to come together, pray, and celebrate as a community. Frattaminore is a historic city that remains today an important place for Campanian social life.
