Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi
Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi: A Journey to Discover a Commune with Ancient History
Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi is an Italian commune in the province of Avellino in Campania, boasting ancient history and a culturally significant heritage. Let's discover together the wonders of this unique place, whose history intertwines with that of the ancient people who inhabited it.
Physical geography
Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi is located in the E zone of the Italian commune climate classification, with 2385 mm of annual precipitation. The city is surrounded by the beauty of nature, enveloped by mountains that make it an enchanting and suggestive place.
History
Middle Ages and Modern Age
The town, built by the Lombards, gained great importance during the Angevin domination in the thirteenth century with the acquisition of great powers of its abbey. Over the succeeding centuries, the fief passed onto the Gianvilla, Caracciolo, and Imperiale families. In 1706 the diocese of Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi was constituted, further bringing prestige to the town. From 1743-46, its territory was subject to the jurisdiction of the royal consulate of commerce of Ariano Irpino, in the province of Principato Ultra. In 1800, the people participated in the Risorgimento movements, and the center was the seat of Carbonari confraternities.
The Earthquake of November 23, 1980
Sant'Angelo was one of the towns most affected by the 1980 Irpinia earthquake. Dubbed "the capital of the earthquake," it was the town with the highest number of victims, a staggering 482. The territory suffered severe damages, and there were four symbolic locations where the most significant damage was recorded: the hospital, the Japicca palace, the recreational club, and the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
Honours
Monuments and Places of Interest
Cathedral of Sant'Antonino Martire
The church was built by the Normans in the twelfth century and elevated to a cathedral when Sant'Angelo became a bishopric under the will of Gregory VII. The Cathedral underwent various restorations, including one in the sixteenth century. The exterior is an example of medieval architecture, with a Romanesque portal adorned by statues of Christ, Saint Michael, and Saint Antonino, and a turreted bell tower. The interior, in simple Baroque style, has three naves with side chapels.
The Goleto Abbey
The church was built in 1133 by Guglielmo da Vercelli and consisted of two monasteries, one for men and one for women. In 1515, the women's order became extinct, and the abbey was united with that of Montevergine. The monastery was flourishing throughout the Middle Ages and regained its prestige in the eighteenth century when a new church was built by Domenico Antonio Vaccaro. The church was almost destroyed by the 1980 earthquake and is now a archaeological site, while the original monastery is still intact. The internal garden with altars, the medieval tower of Badessa Febronia (1152), the lower chapel funeral chapel with two aisles, the Chapel of Saint Luke, and the medieval church can be admired.
Longobard Castle
Founded in the tenth century, it dominates the center and belonged to the duchy of Benevento, from which the village developed. The castle has recently been restored and is open for visits.
Conclusions
Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi is a commune that, due to its ancient history, has become a point of great historical and cultural interest in Italy. Thanks to its geographical location, perfect climate, and the beauty of nature, the town has become a mandatory destination for tourists who want to discover the treasures of Campania. Don't hesitate to visit this wonderful town, and you will be enchanted by its beauty.
