Roccapiemonte
Welcome to Roccapiemonte
Hello everyone! Today we will talk about Roccapiemonte, a municipality in the province of Salerno, in Campania. This small town, with a population of around 8,700 inhabitants, is located in the Nocerino Sarnese area and has a very interesting history.
Physical geography
The territory of Roccapiemonte is located between Mount Caruso and the Solofrana stream. The city is located in seismic zone 2, which means that its seismicity is average. In any case, seismic risk is always present, so you have to be always careful!
History
The history of Roccapiemonte has ancient roots. The first inhabited nucleus of the municipality was built near the "Rocca di San Quirico". This fortress was built in 1042 by the Lombard prince Guaimario IV of Salerno to protect the surrounding valleys from the Saracens who were raiding southern Italy at that time. Over time, the village developed at the foot of Mount Solano and took the name of Roccapiedimonte (castle at the foot of Mount Solano), precisely because of its geographical position.
The landscape architect and writer Edward Lear, on a trip to this area in 1847, was fascinated by the beauty of Mount Solano, defining it "a little mountain shaped like a sugar loaf", with a clear reference to the famous mountain of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil.
Throughout its history, the feud of Roccapiemonte passed through the hands of several noble families, including the Altavilla, Hohenstaufen, Latro, and Ravaschieri. In 1806, the feud finally became a free municipality.
The last descendant of the Ravaschieri
The Ravaschieri were one of the noble families who had control of the feud of Roccapiemonte for a long time, starting from the 16th century. The last descendant of the family, Ornella Fieschi Ravaschieri, daughter of Vincenzo, who was the last Duke of Roccapiemonte, recently disappeared. During their lordship, the family moved their residence from the Rocca di San Quirico to the so-called Palazzo Ravaschieri.
Discovering Roccapiemonte
Roccapiemonte is a very interesting city and deserves to be visited. The historic village extends at the foot of Mount Solano and is characterized by narrow streets and small squares. Walking through its streets, you can admire the ancient stone houses, historic churches, and a splendid panorama of the surrounding valley.
Among the historical monuments of Roccapiemonte, there are the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, the Church of Purgatorio, and the Castle of Women, located on the top of Mount Solano. This small castle was built by the women of Roccapiemonte during the 13th and 14th centuries when their men were busy in wars and battles. Now it is one of the symbols of the city.
What to do in Roccapiemonte
In Roccapiemonte, there are many things to do and see. For nature lovers, there are numerous excursions to do in the surroundings, where you can discover breathtaking views and paths immersed in nature. There are also opportunities to practice outdoor sports such as trekking, climbing, and cycling.
The city also hosts several events and festivals, such as the Truffle and Mushroom Fair, which takes place every year in November, and the Palio delle Contrade, a competition between the various neighborhoods of Roccapiemonte held every year in May.
Conclusion
Roccapiemonte is a city rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, worth a visit. The historic village, ancient churches, excursions in the surroundings, and annual events are just some of the attractions of this wonderful city in Campania. Come and discover Roccapiemonte, you won't regret it!
