Pietravairano
Discovering Pietravairano, a small Campanian town
Pietravairano is a small town located in the province of Caserta, in the Campania region. With a population of about 2,846 inhabitants, it is an agricultural center that extends in the Campanian sub-Apennines, at the eastern slopes of Mount Caievola.
The physical geography of Pietravairano
The territory of Pietravairano is located on a spur facing southeast, and has a stepped structure. The town is situated at the foot of Mount Caievola, which rises up to 588 meters in height. It is a hilly landscape, characterized by the presence of mountains and the greenery of olive groves.
The history of the town of Pietravairano
Pietravairano is mentioned for the first time in a document from 1070 preserved in the archive of the Benedictines of Montecassino, where it is cited under the name of Castrum Petrae. The toponym also appears in the Catalogus Baronum, dating back to the Norman conquest of southern Italy, attributed to a member of the de Petra family.
Subsequently, the territory of Pietravairano was a fiefdom of several noble families, including the de Roccaromana, Marzano, Cicinello, Como, Montaquila, and finally the Grimaldi family, who held it until the abolition of feudalism.
The monumental heritage of Pietravairano
The town of Pietravairano has a monumental heritage of considerable artistic and cultural interest. Among the most significant monuments is the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Vigna, dating back to the seventeenth century, which preserves late Gothic frescoes in its original crypt.
Another place of interest is the Temple and Theater of San Nicola, located on Mount San Nicola. The complex consists of an Italic temple and a theater, arranged on two terraces.
The society and economy of Pietravairano
The economy of Pietravairano is mainly based on agriculture, which produces cereals, olives, grapes, and fruits, particularly lupins and saffron. The area also has livestock farming, with the collection of meat and milk from cattle and sheep.
The town of Pietravairano is home to several socio-cultural associations and non-profit organizations, such as "Pietre Vive," "Il pozzo di San Lorenzo," "Città Presepe Pietravairano," and "Pro loco Pietravairano."
The governance of the town of Pietravairano
The current mayor of Pietravairano is Marianna Di Robbio, elected in 2019 with 53.4% of the vote.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Pietravairano is a small Campanian town that boasts a historic, artistic, and cultural heritage of considerable importance. With its economy based on agriculture and the presence of various associations and non-profit organizations, the town is an example of how the community can come together to preserve and enhance its territory.
