Puglianello
Puglianello: an example of a small Campanian village
Puglianello is a small village located in the province of Benevento, in the region of Campania. With its population of 1276 inhabitants, this municipality is situated on a plain not far from the Volturno River. The town, first mentioned in the 9th century, has a very interesting history.
A bit of history
Its original name was ''Pullianellu'' and it was governed by several noble families, including the Pugliano di Alife family. In the 15th century, it became an autonomous fiefdom under the Celano, the Paolella, and the Martino di Teano families, and later came under the rule of the Guercia family of Naples.
From the 16th century onwards, the village suffered a strong depopulation, to the point that in 1702 some citizens of Faicchio declared that the village was uninhabited, devoid of inhabitants, houses, and dwellings. Later on, the feudal lords called settlers from other areas to repopulate the small center.
In 1948, after being part of the municipality of San Salvatore Telesino, Puglianello became an autonomous municipality.
Points of interest
Despite the period of abandonment, Puglianello still retains some important religious and civil architecture that is worth a visit.
The church of San Giacomo is one of the oldest religious buildings in the town. In 1656, following the depopulation of Puglianello, its income was aggregated to the Cathedral of Cerreto Sannita. It was restored after the earthquake of June 5, 1688. More recently, in 1966, it was completely rebuilt in modern forms.
The castle of the barons of Puglianello is one of the finest examples of civil architecture in the town. With its almost square rectangular plan and cylindrical towers at each corner, the castle is built in yellow tuff, a material that is very present in the area. Today, it has been divided into several residential units and is a point of reference for the community.
How to reach Puglianello
Puglianello is located in the province of Benevento, in Campania. To reach it, you can take the A1 motorway towards Rome-Naples and exit at the Caianello junction. From there, there are signs for Puglianello.
Alternatively, you can take the train to Benevento station and from there reach the village by bus or rent a car.
Conclusions
If you are passionate about history and love ancient villages, Puglianello could be an interesting destination. With its religious and civil architecture, the village is an ideal stop for those who want to discover the history of southern Italy. Moreover, thanks to its geographical position, Puglianello can represent an ideal base for excursions in the surrounding area.
