Somma Vesuviana

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Comune di Somma Vesuviana
Coat of arms of Comune di Somma Vesuviana
Municipal coat of arms
Country Italy Italy
Region Campania
Province Province of Naples (NA)
Mayor
Elevation 165 m
Area 30.74 km²
Population
 - Total (as of 2001) 32,838
 - Density 1068.3/km²
Time zone CET, UTC+1
Coordinates 40°52′21″N, 14°26′13″E
Gentilic Sommesi
Dialing code 081
Postal code 80049
Frazioni Somma, Mercato Vecchio, Casamale, Rione Trieste, Santa Maria del Pozzo, Starza della Regina, San Sossio
Patron St. Januarius
 - Day September 19
Website: www.comune-castellodicisterna.it


Somma Vesuviana is a town in the province of Napoli, Campania, Italy.

[edit] History

Before the Roman colonization, the area of today's Somma Vesuviana was probably inhabiteed by Italics populations like Samnites and Oscans. Later it became a vacation place for the rich patricians of Rome, who built here magnificent villas. A villa of emperor Augustus was discovered in the 1930s in the frazione of Starza della Regina, where he probably passed his last days of life. The villa was probably buried during the eruption of Vesuvius of 79 CE.

[edit] Main sights

  • The ancient quarter of Casamale has noteworthy walls of Aragonese times.
  • The Collegiata.
  • Church of San Domenico.
  • Church of Santa Maria del Pozzo (15th century). Its cloister is home to a museum of the peasant culture of the area.