Roccarainola
Discovering Roccarainola: a city in the metropolitan area of Naples
Hello everyone! Today I want to take you on a journey of discovery to Roccarainola, a municipality of around 6,500 inhabitants in the metropolitan city of Naples, in Campania. The name of the municipality derives from the presence of a fortress, located on a hill, and from the Lombard name "Ragino" or "Raino". But according to some, the name Rainola is linked to the term "rava", which means cliff, to which the word fortress was later added.
The physical geography of Roccarainola
Roccarainola is located in the upper Nolano area, in a central position bordering the provinces of Caserta, Benevento and Avellino. Its territory extends for 28.1 km² and is predominantly mountainous, largely located in the Partenio Mountains. Furthermore, Roccarainola can boast approximately 1,000 hectares of forest in the so-called "Foresta demaniale".
The history of Roccarainola
The history of Roccarainola dates back to the Upper Paleolithic, with the first traces left by humans on its territory. But it is in the 14th century that its current configuration takes shape, thanks to the feudal lord Martino II, who unites in a single property the Norman fiefs of Roccarainola and Fellino. Over the centuries, the municipality of Roccarainola has been the site of inhabited centers and rustic villas of Roman and medieval times, as evidenced by the ruins of the Castle of Roccarainola and the Castelluccia. Additionally, the territory of Roccarainola boasts a secular Christian religiosity with a series of churches and chapels present on its territory.
The monuments of Roccarainola
Among the monuments to visit in Roccarainola, we must mention the artificial Roman aqueduct of the "a cunicoli filtranti" or "qanat" type in the locality of "Fontanelle", the Baronial Palace or "Palazzotto" and the De Rinaldi Palace. Additionally, the municipality is divided into three parishes: Sasso, Gargani, and Roccarainola.
The inhabited centers of Roccarainola
In addition to the historical center of Roccarainola, the municipality is composed of other inhabited centers such as Gargani, Piazza, Sasso, Fellino, and Polvica. Each one has its peculiarities and charm, offering anyone who decides to visit them a complete overview of life in Roccarainola.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you want to visit a municipality rich in history and monuments, surrounded by greenery and the beauty of the Partenio Mountains, you cannot miss Roccarainola! I hope that this small guide has helped you to get to know this location better and that it has piqued your curiosity enough to go visit it. Hello everyone and happy discovery!
