Sant'Angelo a Scala
Sant'Angelo a Scala: a village with ancient origins and traditional culture
Located in the province of Avellino, in Campania, Sant'Angelo a Scala is a small town with an ancient history and a strong traditional culture. In this article, we'll explore the history of the village, its society and administration, its demographic changes, and its languages and dialects.
History
The territory of Sant'Angelo a Scala shows traces of Paleolithic settlements, but the first evidence of a town dates back to the late-roman city 'Asculam', discovered in the Malfetana area. The word "Angelo", which appears in the name of the village, would derive from the cult of St. Michael the Archangel, widespread among the Lombards, to whom a small church mentioned in a document from 402 was dedicated.
The toponym "a Scala", on the other hand, may derive from the mountainous configuration of the surrounding area or from the presence of a road which, due to its steepness, was referred to as "scala".
After the Norman conquest of southern Italy, Sant'Angelo a Scala was established as a fief. In 1160, it was granted by Roger II of Sicily to Richard de Aquila, and in 1466 to the Carafa counts, who made modifications to the castle for the creation of a noble residence.
In contemporary times, the castle was severely damaged by the Irpinia earthquake of 1980 and was left in ruins.
Society
Demographic evolution
Sant'Angelo a Scala has a population of around 700 people. Over the years, the village has undergone several demographic changes, with a negative peak in the 1980s due to the earthquake and a slight increase in the 2000s.
Languages and dialects
In addition to Italian, the Irpinian dialect is also in use in the territory of Sant'Angelo a Scala. This dialect is still spoken by many people and represents an important part of the village's cultural identity.
Administration
In administrative terms, the municipality is part of the Partenio - Vallo di Lauro Mountain Community. The municipal administration is based in the historic center of the village and manages the services and activities of the territory.
Conclusions
Sant'Angelo a Scala is a village with ancient origins that still preserves many traces of its history and traditional culture. From the ruined castle to the evidence of the dialectal language, the village is an example of how history and tradition can still influence the life of a community.
