Rocca D'evandro
Discovering Rocca d'Evandro
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about Rocca d'Evandro, a small Italian town in the province of Caserta, Campania. The town has about 3136 inhabitants and is located on a small hill at the foot of Mount Camino, which offers a spectacular view of the Garigliano Valley.
Physical geography
The town is dominated by the fortress perched on top of the village, which stands at the highest point of Rocca d'Evandro. The view from above is breathtaking, with the Aurunci Mountains, Mount Cairo, and the Mainarde Mountains standing imposingly on the horizon.
Origin of the name and history
It is not certain what the origin of the name Rocca d'Evandro is. However, it is known that before the 11th century the place was called "Rocca di Bandra" or "Rocca di Vandra" or "Vandra". Perhaps it was a Roman settlement, but it could also have arisen following the raids of the Lombard Zotone, Duke of Benevento, who forced the populations of Cassino and Aquino to migrate in 582.
Roman settlement remains have been discovered in the municipality, such as a wine landing at Porto di Mola - Mortola.
The castle of Rocca d'Evandro has a long history and its strategic position made it the subject of numerous disputes among the various powers in the area. In the 10th century, the castle was built and in 961 it was transferred from the princes of Capua and Benevento to the monastery of San Salvatore.
Over the centuries, Rocca d'Evandro has been hit by various earthquakes and has known numerous feudal lords, including Ettore Fieramosca and Vittoria Colonna. In the 17th century, the Cedronio family became the new feudal lords of the village, first as barons and then as marquises.
Monuments and places of interest
The castle of Rocca d'Evandro is definitely one of the most important monuments in the town. Purchased by the municipality in 1980 to safeguard its historical heritage, it underwent restoration work in the 1980s and 1990s. Today it is one of the main places of interest in the area and hosts events, exhibitions, and cultural events.
Among the other monuments and places of interest in Rocca d'Evandro, it is worth mentioning the church of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Farneto, both dating back to the 18th century. The sanctuary of Monte Camino, located at about 1000 m above sea level and accessible on foot, dates back to the 17th century.
For nature lovers, I recommend a walk to the Hermitage of the Eternal Father on Monte Maggiore, built in the 16th century, while for archaeology enthusiasts, there is the wine landing of Porto di Mola - Mortola, dating back to Roman times.
Society
The population of Rocca d'Evandro is predominantly Catholic and is part of the diocese of Sora-Cassino-Aquino-Pontecorvo. Until 2014, the town was part of the territorial abbey of Montecassino.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Rocca d'Evandro is a small gem of Campania that is definitely worth visiting. Its castle, its millenary history, and the beauty of the surrounding landscape make it an ideal place to spend a day discovering Italian culture and nature. If you are in the area, don't forget to stop by Rocca d'Evandro!
