Sant'Angelo d'Alife
Welcome to Sant'Angelo d'Alife!
Hello everyone! In this text I'll talk about a beautiful Italian commune located in Campania, in the province of Caserta, called Sant'Angelo d'Alife. It's a charming place located in the middle valley of the Volturno river, including a vast mountainous area to the north that overlooks Terra di Lavoro up to the sea. It's the perfect place for those seeking some peace and wanting to immerse themselves in nature, sipping a cup of coffee with friends.
Let's discover the physical geography
Sant'Angelo d'Alife is crossed by the Volturno river and two stream courses that in the past also caused significant floods. In the plain there are remarkable springs and cultivated fields of cereals and pasture. In the mountainous area, thanks to dolomitic limestone, the low-altitude vegetation is composed of oaks and chestnut trees, while around 1000 meters above sea level, beech trees grow. In the undergrowth, there are mushrooms, truffles, genepi, holly, orchids, and aromatic herbs.
The history of Sant'Angelo d'Alife
The territory of Sant'Angelo d'Alife has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with traces of Neolithic settlements and necropolises dating back to the VII-IV century B.C. In the early Middle Ages, the cult of Saint Michael developed near the homonymous cave. Later, the population moved to the top of the hill, at an altitude of 535, where initial fortifications were built, strengthened by the Normans at the beginning of the XII century. The fortress, then called Rupe Canina, was restructured by Frederick II of Swabia, who assigned it to the Teutonic knights. In the XVI century, the events of the village were linked to the ownership of the Marzano family.
A visit to Sant'Angelo d'Alife
Well, who of you wants to visit Sant'Angelo d'Alife? The streets of the historic center have been paved with local stone, and it is here that you can admire marvelous examples of civil and religious architecture, such as the Mother Church of Saint Michael, built on the remains of a pre-existing religious structure from the XI century. Not far away is the Grotto of Saint Michael, characterized by the presence of stalactites and stalagmites. After passing through the Porta del Cuore, the access road to the old fortified citadel, you reach the Rocca di Ravecanina, which dominates the village from its elevated position and offers a panoramic view of the Volturno valley. Every year, on the second Sunday of September, the village celebrates the patronal feast of Saint Michael.
Conclusions
Here, guys, I hope my text helped you discover a little gem of Campania that you may not have known before. Sant'Angelo d'Alife is a place rich in history and natural beauties, where you can spend a day in serenity, away from the chaos of the city. Enjoy your visit!
