Caiazzo

Caiazzo
—  Comune  —
Comune di Caiazzo
Caiazzo
Location of Caiazzo in Italy
Coordinates:
Country Italy
Region Campania
Province Caserta (CE)
Frazioni Cesarano, Santissimi Giovanni e Paolo
Government
 • Mayor Stefano Giaquinto
Area
 • Total 36 km2 (13.9 sq mi)
Elevation 200 m (656 ft)
Population (Dec. 2004)[1]
 • Total 5,836
 • Density 162.1/km2 (419.9/sq mi)
Demonym Caiatini
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 81013
Dialing code 0823
Patron saint St. Stefano Minicillo
Saint day October 29
Website phttp://www.comune.caiazzo.ce.it/ http://www.comune.caiazzo.ce.it]

Caiazzo (also Cajazzo) is a city and comune in the province of Caserta (Campania) in Italy. It is located on the right bank of the Volturnus, some 20 km north-east of Capua.

Contents

History

The ancient Caiatia was already in the hands of the Romans in 306 BC, and since in the 3rd century BC it issued copper coins with a Latin legend it must have had the civitas sine suffragio. In the Social War it rebelled from Rome, and its territory was added to that of Capua by Sulla. In the imperial period, however, we find it once more a municipium.

In the Middle Ages it belonged to the Lombard Duchy of Benevento and the County of Capua. The episcopal see was founded in AD 966. Later Frederick II established here a Treasure Court. It had a castle which was enlarged by the Angevines and, during the reign of Alfonso V of Aragon, housed his mistress Lucrezia d'Alagno. Later Caiazzo was the fief of numerous baronal families of the Kingdom of Naples.

Caiazzo was the seat of anti-royal rebellions at the times of the Neapolitan Republic, and also housed several Carbonari. Despite this, Caiazzo was one of the few towns in the kingdom whose population sided against Garibaldi's expedition which annexed southern Italy to Piedmont.

During World War II, retreating German troops massacred 22 civilians here.

Main sights

Caiazzo has remains of Cyclopean walls, and under the Piazza del Mercato is a large Roman cistern, which still provides a good water supply.

The Lombard castle is still existing.

Sister cities

Caiazzo has a sister relationship with:

References

  1. ^ All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainChisholm, Hugh, ed (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.