CASTRONUOVO SANT'ANDREA
In the interior of the Pollino National Park, not too far
from Chiaromonte, is where Castronuovo Sant’Andrea
is situated in a panoramic position. It is a small ancient
centre of Roman origins.
History
Its name immediately reveals the reasons which lead to its
foundation: Castrum in Latin refers to the past existence
of a defensive fortress. In discussion though, is whether
it was a fort destined for the Roman troops allocated to face
the Spartaco revolt (I century BC) or the fort came about
to face the frequent Barbaric invasions during the V century
AD.
Apart from these theories, during the High Medieval period
the village sprung up around the fortress, which later developed
thanks to the arrival of Basilian monks escaping from iconoclastic
persecution in the Eastern hemisphere (VIII century AD).
During Norman and Swabian power, Castronuovo belonged to the
nobles of Chiaromonte and then passed through marriage to
the Sanseverino family (1319). It was therefore a fief of
the Missanelli family (1652), who sold it to the Certosa of
S. Nicola (1684), who remained in power until the abolition
of feudal rights on the wishes of Giuseppe Bonaparte ( 1806).
During 1863, after entrance into the Reign of Italy (1861)
the City acquired the name of Sant’Andrea in honour
of Saint Andrea Avellino, who was born in Castronuovo in 1521.
In 1907, a Necropolis was discovered in the Battifarano district,
dating back to the Hellenistic age (IV century BC).
A visit to the City
There are many places of artistic interest in the City, beginning
with its churches: the Chiesa Madre (Mother Church), dedicated
to S. Maria delle Neve, containing marble polychromed portals
(IX century), and preserving religious frescoes in its interior,
the S. Andrea Chapel, built on the spot of the patron saint’s
house and the S. Maria delle Grazie Chapel.
Among the lay buildings, one can visit the Marchesale Castle
and Palazzo Speziale, while in Via Rossini one can admire
a typical Medieval house.
A Roman villa has been discovered in the Tre Confini-S. Marcellino
locality, dating back to the I century BC.
There are many opportunities to take naturalistic excursions
to panoramic spots, streams and grottoes, thanks to the fact
that Castronuovo belongs to the Pollino National Park territory.
Place of interest
Castello Marchesale; Palazzo Speziale; Chiesa Madre di S.
Maria delle Neve (1750-1800); S. Maria delle Grazie Chapel
(1600); S. Andrea Chapel 1700); Ex Palazzo Speziale; S. Maria
La Stella Chapel (XVI century); S. Filippo Chapel; Piazza
della “Civiltà Contadina”; the remains
of the Roman villa (I century BC); the panoramic spots of
Crocicchiola and Celomanchino; Fosso dello Strittolo (Grotto).
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