Roccaromana
Discovering Roccaromana: history, monuments and traditions
If you are looking for a small Italian village, Roccaromana could be your ideal destination. Located at the foot of Mount Melito, in the heart of Campania, this town with its 825 inhabitants encapsulates a millennium-old history and natural beauty, thanks to its enchanting landscape.
Physical geography
The first thing that catches the eye when observing Roccaromana is its landscape. The town is located at the foot of Mount Melito, one of the mountains in the Monti Trebulani range. The municipal territory covers an area of about 7 square kilometers and is populated by about 825 inhabitants. The town is divided into two villages, Santa Croce and Statigliano, and is characterized by lush Mediterranean vegetation.
History
Roccaromana has an ancient history. The town boasts among its predecessors the ancient city of Saticula, which was already mentioned in the Ab Urbe Condita Libri by Titus Livius and in the Aeneid by Publius Virgilius Maro. Saticula was a subject of contention between Samnites and Romans already around 700 BC, and its exact location is still uncertain. Only a piece of the ancient city remains, the "Vicus Statilianus," which, due to congestion, led many residents to descend to the plain. This is how the hamlets and then the fiefdom of Roccaromana were born, under the Lombard duchy of Benevento in the 700s BC. Over the centuries, the fiefdom passed under the domination of the Normans. They built the eponymous Norman Tower on the remains of a previous Lombard tower that was later destroyed by an earthquake. The name "Roccaromana" first appears on official documents in 1101, in a diploma of Richard II, Prince of Capua, where Adam de Roccaromana is mentioned.
Monuments and places of interest
Roccaromana is a town rich in monuments and places of interest, including:
The Norman Tower and the Church of Madonna di Castello
The Norman Tower, located on the top of Mount Castello in the village of Statigliano, dates back to the year 1100. Equipped with a cistern at the base, it develops over two floors and has a cylindrical plan. The tower was bombed during the Second World War but was later rebuilt in 1948. In 2016, the tower underwent a new restoration and is now open to the public. Next to the tower stands the Church of Madonna di Castello, a rectangular noble chapel dating back to 1190 and dedicated to the cult of Madonna di Castello. The church has also been restored, and inside it, you can admire two frescoes dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, respectively.
The Church of San Cataldo Bishop
The Church of San Cataldo Bishop originated from an ancient chapel of 1156 dedicated to Maria S. Madonna della Pietà. The church is characterized by its neo-Gothic architecture and underwent an important restoration in 1885.
Traditions
Roccaromana is a place where traditions still live on. Among the most important festivals are the grape festival, held every year at the end of September, and the feast of Madonna di Castello, which takes place every year on August 18th. The feast of Madonna di Castello is the occasion for a grand procession that involving the whole town, ending with a fireworks display that lights up the night sky.
Also, you can participate in the grape harvest, olive picking activities, and wine tasting aperitif in local vineyards.
Conclusions
Roccaromana is a small and friendly town that encapsulates history and natural beauty. A place where traditions continue to live on, and where people welcome visitors with the warmth and genuineness that characterize Italy. If you are looking for a place to relax and immerse yourself in local history and culture, Roccaromana is definitely the right destination.
