Polvica
History
Polvica di Nola is a hamlet in the municipality of Nola that borders the hamlet of San Felice a Cancello (CE) and a part of the municipality of Acerra, called Pezzalunga. The area is located at an altitude of 31 m and is known for its agricultural vocation and recent development of the tertiary sector.
The hamlet has seen significant development in recent years, as the municipalities' administrations have invested in its redevelopment, providing it with numerous services. The patron saint of Polvica di Nola is Vincenzo Ferreri, and he is one of the main figures to whom the local community is strongly attached.
The wholesale center development and other activities
One of the main entities in the tertiary center of Polvica is the Centro Ingrosso Sviluppo, representing Italy's biggest wholesale city. In addition to this, there is the Campano Interport, which has a customs clearance facility for goods, Alenia Aeronautica, where some parts of the A380 are assembled, the "Vulcano Buono" shopping center, designed by Renzo Piano, and one of the largest in Europe, the Italian Space Agency (ASI), and Italo-Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori, where products are still being tested.
Origin of the name Polvica
The name Polvica derives from the Spanish word "Polvera," which means "container of fine powder," in our case, "sack of powder." In the past, the area was known for its limestone quarries, which were transported in sacks of powder to the furnaces in the area. These furnaces, composed of stone blocks from the nearby mountains, were used to produce lime, which was then used in the construction of buildings and infrastructure throughout the surrounding area.
The limestone quarry and lime production
The Polvica limestone quarry is a testament to the life and economy of a forgotten time in our industrialized era. The limestone rocks found on the surrounding mountains were used to produce lime. A fire was made inside the furnace to produce carbon dioxide and calcium oxide, called "quicklime." Later, the lime was transformed into hydrated lime to create the mortar needed for building structures.
The limestone quarry had a circular shape and was built on the concavity of the mountain slopes. The stone blocks were arranged in a circular pattern, and the furnace was placed in the center. The interior of the furnace was coated with magnesia lime and covered with a dome. This place is still called "La Carcara" today, and its remains can be seen.
The production of lime also had a positive effect on the surrounding environment, as the calcara fire used the undergrowth and dry wood to maintain the forest free from fires.
Conclusions
Polvica di Nola is a hamlet rich in history and tradition, particularly tied to the production of lime and its use in building construction. In recent years, the hamlet has seen increasing economic activity, and its redevelopment has been carried out by local authorities. The limestone quarry and its remains are an interesting testimony to a forgotten past, and it is worth visiting them to learn about the history of this area of Campania.
