Scafati
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about Scafati, a municipality in the Campania region, in the province of Salerno. Did you know that Scafati is practically enclosed within the metropolitan city of Naples? It's true, and this makes it closely linked from a social and cultural point of view to the city of Naples.
Exploring the geography of Scafati
Scafati has a population of about 48,001 inhabitants and is located at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, crossed by the Sarno River which divides the urban center into two distinct zones. Classified in seismic zone 2, Scafati boasts a typical Mediterranean climate of southern Italy. The proximity to the sea means that there is a fairly high humidity rate, especially during the summer, where in the past the perceived temperature has even reached 45°.
The history of Scafati's name
Have you ever wondered how Scafati obtained its name? It is said to derive from the term "scafa", which means "riverboat", which in turn comes from the Latin "scapha". These boats were called "otters", similar to gondolas, but with a flat bottom, and were essential for navigating the Sarno river. And it is precisely for this reason, but also because the buildings in the center overlook the river, that Scafati was known as the "Little Venice". Other sources say that the city took its name from "Scaphatum", i.e. what the Sarno river once assumed as it passed through the territory of Scafati. Perhaps because in that stretch its waters became significantly warmer.
Discovering the history of Scafati
The presence of human settlements in present-day Scafati dates back to the Iron Age, but the first written news dates back to the twelfth century, during the war between King Roger II of Sicily and the Norman feudatories Rainulfo d'Alife and Roberto di Capua. During the Roman era it was a medium-ranking military camp, located along the consular road Popilia or Popilia-Annia, which from Capua led to Rhegium, crossing the peninsula from north to south. The decline of Scafati occurred during the early Middle Ages due to barbarian invasions, where many cities were destroyed and the survivors had to take refuge on nearby hills.
Today in Scafati
Today Scafati is a dynamic and growing city that offers many opportunities to its residents and visitors. The city boasts many churches and historic monuments, such as the basilica of Santa Maria del Carmine and the Baronal castle of Scafati. It is also famous for the production of ceramics, known as Campanian Majolica, with the Ceramics Museum and the Archaeological Museum of Scafati. Moreover, Scafati is located near Pompeii and the famous Amalfi Coast, making it an ideal destination for tourists.
In summary, Scafati is a city with an interesting history, a unique geography and many opportunities for its residents and visitors. If you have never visited Scafati, you should definitely do so!
