Venafro | |
|---|---|
| Città di Venafro | |
 Coat of arms | |
.svg) Venafro within the Province of Isernia | |
  Venafro Location of Venafro in Italy Show map of Italy Venafro Venafro (Molise) Show map of Molise | |
| Coordinates:41°29′4″N14°2′45″E / 41.48444°N 14.04583°E /41.48444; 14.04583 | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Molise |
| Province | Isernia (IS) |
| Frazioni | Ceppagna, Le Noci,Vallecupa |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Alfredo Ricci |
| Area | |
• Total | 45 km2 (17 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 222 m (728 ft) |
| Population (31 September 2021)[2] | |
• Total | 11,079 |
| • Density | 250/km2 (640/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Venafrani |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 86079 |
| Dialing code | 0865 |
| ISTAT code | 094052 |
| Patron saint | SS.Nicandro, Marciano and Daria |
| Saint day | 17 June |
| Website | Official website |
Venafro (Latin:Venafrumcode: lat promoted to code: la;Ancient Greek:Οὐέναφρον (Ouénaphron)) is acomune in theprovince of Isernia, region ofMolise, Italy. It has a population of 11,079, having expanded quickly in the post-war period.
Situated at the foot of Mount Santa Croce, elevation 1,026 metres (3,366 ft) above sea level, at a height of 222 metres (728 ft) above sea level, the elevation of the municipal territory varies from 158 to 1,205 metres (518 to 3,953 ft) above sea level. The municipality stretches along the homonymous plain crossed by theVolturno and San Bartolomeo rivers whose sources are located in the center of the Venafro plain. Other notable mountains are: Monte Sambucaro at 1,205 metres (3,953 ft), Monte Cesima at 1,180 metres (3,870 ft), Monte Corno at 1,054 metres (3,458 ft), Monte Santa Croce or Cerino, at 1,026 metres (3,366 ft), and Colle San Domenico at 921 metres (3,022 ft).[3] Once a part of the province ofTerra di Lavoro inCampania (territory with which it is still culturally linked), the city is now known as the door ofMolise and is of major importance to the socio-economic dynamics of the province due to its highly developed economy, and is considered one of the four central industrial cores in the region.[4]
Venafro since ancient times is known for its mild climate. Winter is quite cold with rain; snow rarely leads to modest accumulations. Frosts are common; the absolute minimum temperature in the last 10 years was −6.4 °C (20.5 °F) in 2005. The intermediate seasons are milder but with frequent precipitation. Summer is very hot with temperatures often reaching 30 °C (86 °F); the absolute maximum temperature of the last 10 years was about 37.6 °C (99.7 °F) in 2007. This fairly mild climate derives from being in an exposed southern plain closed from the mountains; but in periods of high pressure thermal excursions temperatures may vary 15 to 20 °C (59 to 68 °F) between day and night.
Although its founding is attributed toDiomedes, child ofTydeus andDeipyle, characters inGreek mythology, the ancient name of Venafrum derives fromSamnite sources.[5]On the plain, there have been found numerous findings that suggest the existence of human settlements in prehistoric times. The only occasion on which Venafrum figures prominently in history is during theSocial War, 88 BCE, when it was betrayed into the hands of the Samnite leader Marius Egnatius, and two Roman cohorts that formed the garrison were put to the sword.Lucius Cornelius Sulla razed settlements around present day Venafro. In January 49 BCE,Pompey, coming fromTeano, camped nearby.Cicero more than once alludes to the great fertile ground of the territory,[6] that the tribuneRullus proposed by his agrarian law to divide among the Roman citizens. This project proved abortive, but acolony (Colonia Augusta Julia Venafrum) was founded at Venafrum underAugustus, and the city continued henceforth to bear the title of Colonia, which is found both in Point's works and in inscriptions. In the Augustan era, much attention was given to theaqueduct (Rivus Venafranus) that carried water of the Volturno river fromRocchetta a Volturno. Tye town is mentioned byHorace as a resort, renowned for its amenities,[7] whilePliny the Elder also speaks of the waters located there.[8] In Roman times the economy developed a renownedolive oil industry which according to Pliny was the best in theRoman Empire. When the Romans brought Christianity to theApennine Plains, abishopric for theRoman Catholic church was established in the 5th century.
Between 774 and 787 the Venafro plain was crossed by the troops ofCharlemagne, which clashed with theLombards of thePrincipality of Benevento. According toMonte Cassino chronicler Erchempertus, in 861, Venafro was occupied by EmirSawdan of theEmirate of Bari.[9] After the dark period of theMiddle Ages, which saw Venafro sinking into poverty and disease in later centuries the city enjoyed an era of expansion and prosperity, with numerous churches and palaces dating from that era that changed the face of the city. Feudal families that reigned over Venafro were theSavelli,Spinelli,Peretti, and theCaracciolo ofMiranda, Italy.[10]
From autumn 1943 to spring of 1944 Venafro was the scene (along withPozzilli,Filignano,San Pietro Infine) of bitter fighting between theGermans, entrenched in the mountains to the north and the British – French – U.S. along theGustav Line, during theBattle of Monte Cassino. Mistaken for Monte Cassino, Venafro was hit hard by aerial bombing on March 15, 1944. Venafro until 1863 was included in the territory of theTerra di Lavoro (currently the province ofCaserta), until the establishment of the province ofCampobasso was annexed to that territory, and then got incorporated into the Molise region. In 1970, it was incorporated into the newly formed province ofIsernia, despite controversy and often violent protests that favored to remain part of the province of Caserta.In the spring of 1984, the city was severely damaged by the earthquake originating in the nearbyValle di Comino, in the province ofFrosinone. In 1987, the city was named by Censis (Centro Studi Sociali Investments, an institute of socio-economic research), one of the 100 municipalities of the "Great Little Italy." Since 1994, it has been a member of the ANCO (National Association of (Olive) Oil Citys). On April 25, 2005, Venafro was awarded the gold medal for Civil Valor from the President of the Republic,Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, for its valor during the air bombardment it suffered duringWorld War II.
Venafro can be divided into two distinct areas: the old town, of Roman origin, enclosed by walls and dominated by Castle Pandone, and new town that has several newly developed neighborhoods.[3]
The old town (Centro Historic) was built on the existing Roman urban structure and many of the buildings still have Roman foundations. It was depopulated from the 1960s and many buildings were damaged by successive earthquakes. Government funding for repairs came slowly to the province, but by 2000 most buildings had been structurally secured, although remained unoccupied. Slowly a new generation started to reside in some of the properties from middle of the noughties. The upper floors of buildings are residences, while some lower floors of the premises are used as shops.
Built in the highest part of the city, it derives its name from theLombards who built it on an older fortification in the 10th century. In the 14th century it was expanded with the addition of three circular towers, and was transformed in the 15th century by adding amoat.Frescoes depicting horses, commissioned by Count Enrico Pandone, were added during theRenaissance. Currently, the halls of this castle have become the Museo Nazionale del Molise - an art gallery in which paintings are collected from several different churches abandoned or closed in Venafro.[11] It also hosted an exhibition curated by Cultural Documents,Winterline by the Scottish artistElaine Shemilt (12 Decrmbet 2014- 30 May 2016). The exhibition retraces, through drawing, print, painting and video the routes of the Allied and German conflict on the adjacent territory during 1943 and 1944. Four of Shemilt's works were purchased for the national collection (MiBACT - Ministero dei beni e delle attività culturali e del turismo) in 2016.[12]A permanent exhibition hall to house the work of Romeo Musa was inaugurated in May 2014.[13]
Located in the center of modern Venafro and despite development overlap are the still visible remains of the Roman ellipticalamphitheater. It is believed that the stands could hold up to 15,000 spectators. Until some time ago, this structure housed stables and stores of agricultural tools.[10]
On theDecumanus Maximus is a theater of considerable size and presents ascaenae frons of about 60 m, with anauditorium capable of hosting 3,500 spectators. After a series ofarchaeological excavations and interventions to bring it to light, this monument is paired with the nearbyodeon.
In the town center are visible traces of aRoman aqueduct, the walled city of the Samnites dating from the 4th century BCE and onepolygonal Samnite structure of the 1st century BCE. Of Roman origin is the "Torricella", a fortified structure recently restored to its former glory.[5] Other monuments include "Market Tower" (Palazzo Caracciolo), a defensive structure with its massive medieval battlements, in defense of that which once corresponded to the eastern gate of Venafro, and the Palazzo Libertina of the 20th century, which served as a hydroelectric plant to provide power to the town.
Due to a large number of churches in the area Venafro was given the nickname "The city of 33 churches." These are many churches of various sizes and ages in the historic center and in the foothills area. Unfortunately, many places of worship such asSanti Martino e Nicola are now closed and abandoned.
Venafro Cathedral, the largest church of the city, is situated at the foot of Parco Oraziano. Dating from the 5th century, it was built under Bishop Constantine in the place where for centuries there was apagan temple. It is adorned with materials from other monuments of earlier eras (Roman elements, Christian decorations, and Bishop Pietro di Ravenna'sbas-relief which is called "March Settecappotti"). The interior has threenaves decorated with paintings from the 14th century. The current appearance is due to renovation works dating back to the 1960s and 1970s which have replacing the ancientBaroque style, bringing the back sacred aspects of theGothic andMedieval eras. At the end of 1600 the "cappellone" was built; a chapel in which to administer the sacraments.[10]
Thechurch is an example ofBaroque architecture built in the 14th century, and has been repeatedly amended over time. It was built with material from a nearby Roman theater and had agabledfaçade. Over the centuries it underwent a major restoration and the church assumed its present Baroque appearance. The single nave interior preserves acrucifix of the 14th century. In a lateral niche is the silver bust of St. Nicandro with a some relics of martyrs. The church also has a large frescoed dome, visible from every point of the city.[10]
TheBasilica of San Nicandro was built atop Roman ruins on the eastern outskirts of the city, on the road toIsernia. The church has had many reconstructions and most recently restored in 2001. It features two naves and retains an altar in woodmarquetry andpyrography. Under the altar is the crypt the tomb of St Nicandro was discovered, a spring called "Manna of St. Nicandro" also appears in the crypt.[10]
The church located on Via Cavour was built in the second half of the 16th century and expanded, taking the present form in the second half of the 17th century. The church has a single aisle and presentsstuccocornices andcapitals. There are several paintings and at the top of the nave in specialniches are the statues ofFour Evangelists. The church has two small domes with no windows, and a Baroque bell-tower, looking similar to the Church of the Annunciation. The façade has a large window and is preceded by a staircase.[10]
In an 18th-century monastic structure houses the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Santa Chiara. Among the works exhibited are Roman artifacts: the "Venus of Venafro" by Antonine (2nd century AD), two large statues of men who are identified asAugustus andTiberius, and the great memorial or "Tavola Acquaria" where the regulations designed to regulate the use (edict of Augustus) of the Roman aqueduct during the Augustan age.[10]
Along Highway 85 to Isernia, on an extended flat area is the French war cemetery in which are buried about 4,500 (but many have been exhumed) soldiers. Notable are the two thirds of African origin, mainlyMoroccan,Algerian,Tunisian andSenegalese, who fell in large part during theBattle of Monte Cassino. A monument was erected that refers explicitly to the North Africanminarets decorated with ceramic tiles of blue, set against thewhitewashed walls, and some inscriptions. Inside, there are tombs of the Unknown Soldier dedicated to soldiers: one Tunisian, one Algerian, and one Moroccan. All the tombs are arranged on the north-east south-west, with the gravestones facing north-east, with the exception of some graves, located behind the section ofJewish soldiers andanimists. On each plaque by the name (if known) are the words (in French) "died for France".[14]
Located at the border between Molise and Campania, in the municipalities of Venafro andCapriati a Volturno is a man-made wildlife preserve. The approximately 32 acres (130,000 m2) of property, have been entrusted toWorld Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Italy. Situated along the short stretch of the Volturno River, which marks the border between Molise and Campania, The MortineOasis occupies an artificial waterway created by the construction of ahydroelectric dam. The set of aquatic habitats are surrounded by a hygrophilous (willows, poplars, alders) forest. The lake and the woods are habitat for diverse aquaticfauna and waterfowl.[14]
The Parco Oraziano behind the city's cathedral became the Regional Agricultural Historical Olive Park of Venafro. A regional law aimed at establishing a protected area to preserve the heritage of Venafro'solives and olive trees. The Regional Agricultural Historical Olive Park of Venafro is the first park in theMediterranean area with an olive theme.[14]
Thepatron saints of the city are martyrs Nicandro, Marciano, and Daria (Daria consort of Nicandro) which are also the patrons of theRoman Catholic Diocese of Isernia-Venafro, whose feast occurs on June 17. The festival originated during anearthquake that struck the city in 1688, but the town escaped serious damage or casualties. The population bestowed an annual festival ofthanksgiving on the first Sunday of June, to honor of theirsaints in gratitude of escaping harmAlso, a bust was made of St. Nicandro in silver, later stolen and replaced by an identical copy, which is carried in procession during the festival. In 1933, under the high altar of the church of St. Nicandro the remains of the saint was found in a grave, from which originates the "Holy Manna" (spring water) at fixed intervals, so the crypt of the church has become apilgrimage destination. Currently, the holiday begins on May 17 (Sant N'candriegl) with the month dedicated to the saints, with aprocession and return to the church of the convent of St. Nicandro. The real party, one of the greatest attractions of the region, is celebrated by June 16 to 18 with performances and processions, and attracts thousands of faithful and tourists even outside the region. On June 16 there is a procession in the evening with a bust of St. Nicandro and relics from the church of the saint, followed by the solemnvespers presided by the bishop and the clergy. The sacred and veneratedicons remain at the church for all the festivities. On the evening of the 16th there is a band concert in Market Square. On June 17, is the pontifical mass, involving the bishop and civil and religious leaders. During this ceremony, the mayor delivers keys of the city, symbolizing the protection of the people to patron saints. In the evening there is a concert in the square generally with a nationally known singer. The festival culminates with an impressive procession on the 18th, followed by thousands of people, in which the statues of three saints are carried from the church of St. Nicandro to that of the Annunciation.
Other festivals include:
Agriculture is traditionally conducted at a household level. In particular, the historic production ofolive oil it is still active. Venafro has obtained the status of "Oil City", and boasts a native species of olive, Aurino. Engineering, manufacturing, construction, detergents, agricultural and food products industries also make up Venafro's economy.Tourism remainsunderdeveloped despite artistic, architectural, historical and cultural items that Venafro has to offer.[14]
Venafro has many road and rail connections due to its geographical position, being placed right at the south-western region of Molise. The town is crossed by the SS 85 Venafrana, which connects theCaianello motorway interchange with Molise and Campania; SS6Casilina, linking withLazio and MoliseSan Vittore del Lazio motorway. Finally, the municipality is crossed by theVairano-Isernia railway.[15]
Venafro istwinned with:
Emir Sawdan occupied Castrum Benafranum, modern Venafro, in 861.
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This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857).Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.
