Rocca San Felice
Rocca San Felice: a trip through history and natural treasures
Hello everyone! Today I'll take you on a journey to discover Rocca San Felice, a beautiful town in the province of Avellino, Campania. You will be surprised at how many treasures this small town holds!
History
First of all, let me tell you a little bit about the history of Rocca San Felice. In the 19th century, the town was part of the province of Principato Ultra and between 1743 and 1746 it was subject to the jurisdiction of the "regio consolato di commercio" of Ariano Irpino. This area has always been of great importance as a passage area between different civilizations that have left their mark.
Monuments and places of interest
Now let's move on to the monuments and places of interest in Rocca San Felice. Here you will find many, including the castle, the churches of Santa Maria Maggiore and Santa Felicita, and the chapel of Maria Santissima di Costantinopoli. They are all places of great architectural and artistic beauty, which tell the history of this city.
Archaeological area of Valle d'Ansanto
But the real surprise of Rocca San Felice is the archaeological area of Valle d'Ansanto. This breathtaking place was even described by Virgil in the "Aeneid" as "densis hunc frondibus atrum". The Valle d'Ansanto, apparently designed as a lake, is actually a mofeta, that is, an area where the subsoil emits highly toxic gases. Here, in fact, the air contains a very high percentage of carbon dioxide, so much so that the surrounding area is completely devoid of vegetation and animals, with the exception of the small shrub plant Genista Anxantica. The area was considered extremely dangerous, so much so that the ancients believed it to be a gateway to hell.
Numerous objects from various civilizations have been found in the archaeological area of Valle d'Ansanto, including amphorae, terracotta and the altar of the goddess Mefite (whose sanctuary was erected around the 7th century BC). The altar of the goddess is now preserved in the Capodimonte museum, but the Valle d'Ansanto remains a place of great interest both for archaeologists and for the curious.
Conclusions
In short, Rocca San Felice is a destination not to be missed, where history and nature come together to create a unique experience. From the medieval castle to the churches, to the breathtaking Valle d'Ansanto, this city will surprise you in every corner, leaving you an unforgettable memory of the most authentic Campania.
