Fragneto Monforte
| Fragneto Monforte | |
|---|---|
| Comune | |
| Comune di Fragneto Monforte | |
 Fragneto Monforte
|
|
| Coordinates: 41°15′N 14°46′E / 41.250°N 14.767°ECoordinates: 41°15′N 14°46′E / 41.250°N 14.767°E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Campania |
| Province / Metropolitan city | Province of Benevento (BN) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 24.4 km2 (9.4 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 380 m (1,250 ft) |
| Population (Dec. 2004) | |
| • Total | 1,935 |
| • Density | 79/km2 (210/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Fragnetani |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
| Postal code | 82020 |
| Dialing code | 0824 |
| Patron saint | S. Nicola; S. Anna |
| Saint day | 6 december; 26 july |
Fragneto Monforte is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Benevento in the Italian region Campania.
Fragneto is a green mountainous area whose history dates back from 500 BC. It is not far from Benevento (just 10 km) the provincial capital of Samnium, Naples (65 km) and Rome (200 km).
As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 1,935 and an area of 24.4 km².
Fragneto Monforte borders the following municipalities: Benevento, Campolattaro, Casalduni, Fragneto l'Abate, Pesco Sannita, Ponte, Pontelandolfo, Torrecuso.
Due to its strategic position, since 500 BC, Fragneto Monforte was a very important center for Sanniti, Romans, Goths, Byantians, Muslims, and Lombards. The name Fragneto comes from "Fara" (family) of "Gnito", a Lombard warrior who founded the "castrum", (the fortified village) around the 11th century AD.
In the 10th century BC, units of Bizantini escaped from Benevento and settled in Fragneto, introduced the cult of Saint Nicolao from Myra, still today practised. In 1010 appears the common noun Monteforte that will be turned in Monforte during the 17th century.
In the Norman period (1150–1168) Fragneto Monforte is often named among the feudal overloads, in fact in the first half of the 12th century it belonged to Bartolomeo from Monteforte.
This family, during the period of Angiò, succeeded in enlarging their properties and above all in conserving them for more than three centuries.
In the 14th and 15th centuries Fragneto Monforte lives tragic events: first the terrible earthquake of 1349, then the occupation of the Aragonesi, the reconquest of the Angioini and finally the other earthquake on Saint Barbara's night in 1456, that destroyed the country.
With the arrival of Carl VIII, king of France, to monforte, for the first time is hoisted the French flag.
After the French defeat the dominion and the power of Monforte ceased; his possession was given to Federico d'Aragona e Andrea di Capua. During the following 90 years the earldom of Fragneto will be sold other five times. In 1584 it will belong to the family Montalto that in 1612 will receive the title of Duke of Fragneto. To the heirs of Montalto family belongs today the Palazzo Ducale.
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Wikipedia