Paduli
Paduli: a town in Campania rich in history and culture
Paduli is a small town in the province of Benevento in Campania, with a population of about 3613 inhabitants. This locality is located on the top of a spur between the valley of the Calore Irpino river and that of the Tammaro, in the Campanian Apennines.
Physical geography
The location of Paduli is truly suggestive: being located on a spur, it offers a breathtaking view of the valley below. Also, two rivers, the Calore Irpino and the Tammaro, flow close to the town.
History
Paduli has been inhabited since pre-Roman times, when it must have been the seat of the ''Hirpini'', a Samnite tribe that settled over much of the Campanian Apennines. During the Roman period, in its territory, on the border with Sant'Arcangelo Trimonte, there was ''Forum Novum'' (now Forno Nuovo), a public market and a ''mutatio'' mentioned in the Roman roads. After the fall of the Roman Empire and the barbarian invasions, many people living along the Tammaro and Calore sought refuge in defensible areas. Paduli was then fortified and expanded by the Normans.
Feudal domain
Over the centuries, Paduli passed under the control of different families, including the De Sabran, Carbone, Gentile, Pignatelli, Coscia, Caracciolo, Barone, Spinelli, and Cybo. In 1726, it was sold to the Coscia of Benevento, who built a large palace in the area of the ruins of the ancient castle. This palace, now owned by the De Vivo family, hosted many important personalities, including Duke Rainulfo of Alife, King Roger II of Sicily, Tancred of Sicily, Frederick II of Swabia, Manfred of Sicily, Ladislaus I of Naples, Renato D'Angiò, Francesco Sforza, and Alfonso V of Aragon.
Modern era
Between 1743 and 1746, the territory of Paduli was subject to the territorial competence of the ''regio consolato di commercio'' of Ariano Irpino, in the province of Principato Ultra. During the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, Paduli was the capital of the district in the Ariano area.
Monuments and places of interest
Paduli is full of monuments and places of interest. Among the most important religious works in the town are the Mother Church, the Church of San Nicola, the Church of San Giovanni Battista, the Convent and Church of S. Maria di Loreto, the Church of Madonna di Lourdes di Piana Ferrara, the Church of Madonna delle Grazie, and the Church of Madonna Addolorata and del Sacro Cuore, containing many works by the master Mimmo Paladino.
Society
In Paduli, there is a slight decline in the number of inhabitants compared to the past, but the town is still rich in life and activities.
Demographic evolution
The town of Paduli has had fluctuating demographic evolution over the years. Although there has been a decrease in the population during the period 2001-2011, with a decrease of 5.1%, the place remains an animated and interesting populated center.
Infrastructure and transport
Roads
The territory of Paduli is crossed by the Strada statale 90 delle Puglie## Strada statale 90 bis delle Puglie, which makes it easy to reach the capital of Benevento, as well as Ariano Irpino and Foggia.
Railways
The Paduli sul Calore station, located in the industrial area of ''Ponte Valentino'', was entirely modernized and expanded between 1990 and 2000 as part of the works to double the tracks of the Naples-Foggia railway.
In summary, Paduli is a town in Campania rich in history, culture, and tourist attractions. A visit to this enchanting place will surely leave you with beautiful memories and make you want to return soon.
