Campagna facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Campagna
Comune
General view of the town
Coat of arms
Campagna within the Province of Salerno
Country	Italy
Region	Campania
Province	Salerno (SA)
Frazioni	Camaldoli, Galdo, Mattinelle, Puglietta, Quadrivio, Romandola-Madonna del Ponte, Santa Maria La Nova, Serradarce.
Area
• Total	135.41 km2 (52.28 sq mi)
Elevation	270 m (890 ft)
Population  (2009)
• Total	16,183
• Density	119.511/km2 (309.532/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Campagnesi
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	84022
Dialing code	0828
Patron saint	Antoninus of Sorrento
Saint day	14 February

Palazzo Tercasio, the first print office of Principality of Salerno

Palazzo di Città: the cloister

Aerial view of Campagna

Campagna (which means "countryside" in Italian) is a charming town in Southern Italy. It's located in the Campania region, within the province of Salerno. About 17,000 people live here.

The town's old Latin name was Civitas Campaniae, meaning "City of Campagna". It sits in a valley of the Picentini Mountains, about 270 meters (886 feet) above sea level.

History of Campagna

The first records of Campagna date back to the 800s, during the time of the Lombard kingdom. Its location was very important for defending against attacks in the Middle Ages. Over time, Campagna grew into a significant place for culture and religion. It was even home to bishops until 1973.

Campagna During World War II

During World War II, Campagna became a safe haven for many Jewish people. This was thanks to the brave actions of Giovanni Palatucci and his uncle, Giuseppe Maria Palatucci. People fleeing from northern Italy found shelter here. Citizens of Campagna helped hide them, sometimes in the basements of churches.

Giovanni Palatucci was later honored as a Righteous Among the Nations. This special award is given by the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial. It recognizes non-Jewish people who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust. You can learn more about this in the book It Happened in Italy by Elizabeth Bettina. Today, items left by the Jewish refugees are displayed in the Museo della Memoria (Museum of Memory) in the town center.

Where is Campagna?

Campagna shares its borders with several other towns. These include Acerno, Contursi Terme, Eboli, Olevano sul Tusciano, Oliveto Citra, Postiglione, Serre, and Senerchia. Senerchia is actually in a different province, the Province of Avellino.

The municipality of Campagna includes several smaller villages called frazioni. These are Camaldoli, Galdo, Mattinelle, Puglietta, Quadrivio, Romandola-Madonna del Ponte, Santa Maria La Nova, and Serradarce. Other small areas include Avigliano, Folcata, Oppidi-Varano, Saginara, and Sant'Angelo.

Things to See in Campagna

Campagna has many interesting historical places to visit.

Historical Buildings and Structures

• Castles: You can explore the ancient Castle Gerione and Castle De Alegisio, both from the 10th century.
• Palaces: The town has several old palaces, like the Palazzo di Città (13th century), Palazzo Ducale Pironti (1694), and Palazzo Tercasio (14th century). Others include Palazzo dei Governatori dei Principi di Monaco (15th century), Palazzo Rivelli (14th-17th century), Palazzo Pastore-Alinante (16th century), Palazzo Bernalla (14th century), and Palazzo Trotta (16th century).
• Fountains: Discover beautiful old fountains such as Fountain Giudeca, Fountain S.Lucia, and Fountain Cortiglia, all from the 15th century.
• Bridges: Cross historic bridges like the Bridge of Presbyteres and the Bridge of piazza Guerriero, both built in the 15th century.

Churches and Religious Sites

Campagna is home to many old churches and religious buildings:

• Basilica co-cathedral of Santa Maria della Pace (built between 1112 and 1683).
• Church and convent Dominican of San Bartolomeo (14th century).
• Shrine of Madonna di Avigliano (1377).
• Church of SS. Annunziata (13th century).
• Church of SS Salvatore e Sant'Antonino (11th century).
• Church of S.Giovanni (16th century).
• Seminary di S. Spirito (15th century).
• Monastery of Maddalena (14th century).
• Church and convent of Osservanti della Concezione (15th century).
• Abbey of Santa Maria La Nova (1220–1249).
• Monastery of San Martino (16th century).
• Hermitage of S.Erasmo e S.Giacomo degli eremiti (11th century).
• Hermitage of San Michele di Montenero (12th century).
• Hermitage of S. Maria Domenica (16th century).

Museums to Visit

• Itinerario della Memoria e della Pace: This museum focuses on the town's history, especially its role during World War II.
• Museo della confraternita dei cinturati di Santa Maria del Soccorso: This museum showcases items related to a local religious brotherhood.

Nature Reserves

If you love nature, Campagna is close to some beautiful reserves:

• Oasi naturale del Monte Polveracchio
• Oasi di Persano
• Riserva naturale Foce Sele-Tanagro

Famous People from Campagna

Many notable people have connections to Campagna:

• Antoninus of Sorrento: A Catholic saint born in Campagna.
• Members of the Monaco royal family: Several Lords and Princes of Monaco, including Honoré I, Charles II, Hercule, Honoré II, and Louis I, were Marquises of Campagna.
• Juan Caramuel y Lobkowitz: A bishop of Campagna.
• Giordano Bruno: A famous philosopher and Dominican friar.
• Giulio Cesare Capaccio: A historian who wrote about Campagna.
• Melchiorre Guerriero [it]: A noble from Campagna.

Fun Traditions and Festivals

Campagna is known for its unique summer event called ‘A Chiena (which means "The Fullness" or "The Flood" in local dialect).

'A Chiena in August 2017.

This festival happens every weekend in July and August. During ‘A Chiena, the Tenza river is temporarily redirected. Its water flows right through the town's main street! People gather to splash and play in the water. This tradition started long ago when river water was used to clean the streets. Now, it's a fun and refreshing event for everyone.

Another festival is I Fucanoli, celebrated on January 17th to honor Saint Anthony. In the late afternoon, a church service is held, followed by a procession. A statue of Saint Anthony is carried through the streets of the town center. As the statue passes, huge bonfires are lit, creating a warm and festive atmosphere.

Sister City

Campagna has a special connection with Monte Carlo in the Principality of Monaco. They are sister cities.

See also

In Spanish: Campagna (Salerno) para niños