Giugliano in Campania
Discovering Giugliano in Campania
Are you ready to discover Giugliano in Campania? Located in the north-western part of the Napoli hinterland, this municipality has 123,755 inhabitants, making it the most populated non-provincial capital in Italy and the third in Campania.
Physical Geography
Territory
The territory of Giugliano in Campania extends over the Campania plain, with the only exception being the Monte San Severino, the only elevation present in the area. The coastal stretch of Giugliano extends for over 3 km, from Marina di Varcaturo to Lido di Licola, and features a low altitude and golden sand. Inland, there is Lake Patria, which is not of volcanic origin but was generated by the closure of sandy dunes towards the sea.
History
Origins
The territory of Giugliano has been inhabited since the Iron Age by Italic tribes and later by the Oscans who founded, among many cities, the flourishing "Atella" and "Liternum," located on the shores of Lake Patria. This area was the Terra di Lavoro, the most fertile part of Campania Felix. Roman presence in the area is attested by numerous archaeological finds, and according to tradition, a nucleus of Cumans who took refuge in the countryside of Giugliano called the area "Leirianum" due to an extensive blooming of lilies, and then "Lilianum."
However, according to another theory, the toponym of Giugliano derives from the Latin anthroponym "Julius" because there was a villa of Gaius Julius Caesar in these places, around which the inhabitants would later have built a village. Around Lake Patria, instead, there was a prehistoric settlement established by the Oscan tribe, which was expanded by the Romans in 194 BC with the foundation of Liternum.
The colony of Liternum reached its peak in the Augustan era, especially between the end of the 1st and the 2nd century AD.
Beauties of Giugliano
What to visit
Giugliano in Campania is a place rich in tourist attractions, starting from its beaches. The crystal-clear sea and golden sand make it a very popular destination for vacationers. Lake Patria is another attraction of great charm, with its breathtaking landscape and the presence of the monumental complex of Liternum, which offers a panoramic view of the history and culture of the region.
For those who love archaeology, there is also the Roman amphitheater in Atella, one of the most important monuments of the ancient Roman city. Visit also the Castle of Francolise, an ancient fortress dating back to the 11th century, and the historic center of Giugliano, with its valuable architectural heritage.
What to eat
What could be better than the excellent Campanian cuisine to accompany your stay in Giugliano in Campania? Here you can taste the typical dishes of the local tradition, such as Neapolitan pizza, eggplant parmesan, pasta and beans, pasta and potatoes, mozzarella in carrozza, fresh fish from the Adriatic, and many others. Don't forget to try the local wines, such as Falanghina and Greco di Tufo.
Conclusion
Giugliano in Campania is a fascinating place, offering tourists a wide variety of cultural and natural attractions. Thanks to its strategic location, it is possible to discover the rest of the Campania region, with the cities of Naples, Caserta, and the Vesuvius National Park within short distance. Don't miss the opportunity to visit this hidden treasure of Campania.
