Vairano

Vairano Patenora
Comune
Comune di Vairano Patenora
The castle of Vairano Patenora.
Vairano Patenora Location of Vairano Patenora in Italy
Coordinates: 41°20′N 14°8′E / 41.333°N 14.133°E / 41.333; 14.133Coordinates: 41°20′N 14°8′E / 41.333°N 14.133°E / 41.333; 14.133
Country	Italy
Region	Campania
Province / Metropolitan city	Caserta (CE)
Frazioni	Marzanello, Vairano Scalo
Government
• Mayor	Bartolomeo Cantelmo
Area
• Total	43.7 km2 (16.9 sq mi)
Elevation	168 m (551 ft)
Population (1 January 2015)
• Total	9,450
• Density	220/km2 (560/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Vairanesi
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	81058
Dialing code	0823

Vairano Patenora is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Caserta in the Italian region Campania, located about 60 kilometres (37 mi) north of Naples and about 35 kilometres (22 mi) northwest of Caserta.

Vairano borders with the municipalities of Ailano, Caianello, Marzano Appio, Pietravairano, Pratella, Presenzano, Raviscanina, Riardo and Teano. Its frazioni are Marzanello and Vairano Scalo, in which is located the railway station.

The area of Variano has been inhabited for at least 700,000 years. Remains found on the hills of Vairano certify that primitive men lived in caves or in wooden huts.

One of the first civilizations was the Opici, followed by the Etruscans, the Samnites and the Sidicini. The Samnites built on our hills fortified cities, as we know from the remains visible on Montano, Caievola and Monteforte. In 290 BC the territory became under Roman control, and an old Roman bridge remains today in a place called Frattelle.

Between the 6th and the 9th centuries Lombards invaded Vairano and built a fortress which was used to defend themselves against Saracen and other invasions. In the 11th century, the Normans subdued the Lombards, and in 1191 emperor Herny VI of Hohenstaufen gave the castle to Roffredo dell’Isola, the abbot of Montecassino.