Monte San Giovanni Campano
Welcome to Monte San Giovanni Campano!
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about Monte San Giovanni Campano, an Italian municipality located in the province of Frosinone, in Lazio. It is a place full of history and nature that I highly recommend you visit. Let's discover more about this wonderful town together!
Physical geography
Territory
Monte San Giovanni Campano is located at 438 meters above sea level, inside the Ernici Mountains. Its territory extends from north to south, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. Among the most important peaks we find Punta dell'Ortica and Monte Pedicinetto, both on the border with Veroli, and Monte Castellone, on the border with Castelliri. The municipality is delimited by the Liri River and its tributary, the Amaseno.
Climate
Monte San Giovanni Campano's climate falls within zone D, with an area of 2028 GR/G.
History
The municipality's history dates back to the fifth century, when the inhabitants of the Roman city of Cereate moved to a safer place, now known as Ciavaito. Later, on the southwestern slope of the San Marco hill, a Benedictine monastery, dedicated to the saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, was built. The monastery gave its name to the mountain, to which the adjective "Campano" was added as it belonged to the province of Campagna and Marittima in the Papal States.
In 1495, King Charles VIII of France occupied the territory and destroyed the castle of Monte San Giovanni Campano. In 1867, during the military campaign led by Giuseppe Garibaldi's volunteers to conquer Rome, the city was the scene of the Battle of Mentana.
After the plebiscite of 1870, Monte San Giovanni Campano became part of the Kingdom of Italy.
What to see
Castle
The castle of Monte San Giovanni Campano, located on the rocky hill of Castelforte, is one of the main attractions of the municipality. Built at the end of the tenth century, it was destroyed by the French at the end of the fifteenth century and subsequently rebuilt. Today it is open to visitors and houses the municipality's tourist office.
Church of St. John the Baptist
The church of St. John the Baptist, located near the castle, dates back to the twelfth century. Here you can admire a majestic Romanesque portal and frescoes from the sixteenth century.
Benedictine monastery
The Benedictine monastery located on the San Marco hill is one of the oldest testimonies of the municipality. Here you can admire frescoes from the ninth century.
Archaeological museum
The municipality's archaeological museum houses important artifacts dating back to the prehistoric and Roman periods. Do not miss the Hall of Mirrors, the Roman funerary chamber, and the numismatic collection.
What to do
Trekking
Hiking enthusiasts can enjoy the views offered by the surrounding territory. The municipality offers paths of varying difficulty, suitable for every level.
Local product tasting
Monte San Giovanni Campano is famous for the production of high-quality wines and olive oil. I therefore recommend that you do a tasting at one of the local wineries.
Events
The municipality organizes numerous events throughout the year, from traditional markets to gastronomic festivals. In particular, we highlight the Festa del Perdono, held in June, and the Festa di San Bartolomeo, the patron saint of the municipality, which takes place on August 24.
Conclusions
Monte San Giovanni Campano is a fascinating place rich in history, ideal for nature and culture lovers. If you are in the area, do not miss the opportunity to visit it and discover the beauty of this corner of Italy!
