Castelromano
Castelromano, a fraction of Isernia with an ancient and interesting history
Castelromano is a fraction of the municipality of Isernia, located in the homonymous province in Molise. Despite being part of Isernia, Castelromano is very different from the capital in terms of its history, traditions and customs.
Physical geography
The fraction is located on a plateau at the foot of Mount La Romana, at an altitude of about 720 meters above sea level. It is approximately 5 km west of the main city.
History
The history of Castelromano is very ancient and still preserves remains of three large walls that served to defend the fortified village of the Sanniti tribe of Pentra. The area, called "Cominium", was conquered by the Roman army in the last of the Samnite Wars, as reported by the Latin historian Livy's "Ab Urbe Condita".
The walls were made of large rough stones overlaid with regularity, with irregular interstices filled with flakes. The eastern curtain was reinforced with rounded stone blocks on the side leaning on the embankment.
The eastern curtain is still recognizable, while the western side is protected from the steep natural slope. Near the gate, one can still see a doubling of the walls on different levels.
To the south of the inhabited area, in the locality of Croce, a second wall protected the cemetery with dozens of tombs, some of which were only partially investigated.
A third fortification at the top of the mountain delimited an area rich in archaeological material.
The area of Castelromano and the Sanniti tribe of Pentra were before the Roman conquest, where numerous pieces of pottery, stone blocks, and tiles arose. Some theories advanced by scholars of the pentro capital suggest that the entire tribe took refuge within the fortified walls under the threat of the Roman army.
In the highest part of the mountain, it is still possible to see the ruins of a stone structure that was probably used as a watchtower. The structure was clearly visible from a similar tower located about 1 km away in an area called "Terra Vecchia" in the municipality of Macchia D'Isernia.
The present settlement of Castelromano rises about 500 meters south of the Samnite ruins and originates from a Longobard military settlement called Armagnum. The name derives from the Longobard term "Harimann", which means army man. This group of free men placed themselves at the service of kings or dukes to meet the defense needs of the Longobard kingdom, especially in areas subject to the invasions of Slavs and Avars.
Conclusions
Castelromano is a very interesting fraction that boasts an ancient and fascinating history. The Samnite ruins and the walls testify to the strategic importance of the area, while the watchtowers suggest the military avant-garde of the residents of the time. The fraction differs from the capital for its history and local customs, which are still very present in everyday life. If you are visiting the area, don't miss the opportunity to discover Castelromano!
