Battipaglia

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Battipaglia
Comune
Comune di Battipaglia
Battipaglia within the Province of Salerno
Battipaglia
Location of Battipaglia in Italy
Coordinates: 40°37′N 14°59′E / 40.617°N 14.983°E / 40.617; 14.983Coordinates: 40°37′N 14°59′E / 40.617°N 14.983°E / 40.617; 14.983
Country Italy
Region Campania
Province Salerno (SA)
Frazioni Aversana, Santa Lucia Inferiore, Spineta
Government
 • Mayor Mario Rosario Ruffo (interim town administrator)
Area
 • Total 56,46 km2 (2,180 sq mi)
Elevation 72 m (236 ft)
Population (31 January 2013)[1]
 • Total 50,485
 • Density 8.9/km2 (23/sq mi)
Demonym Battipagliesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 84091
Dialing code 0828
Patron saint Santa Maria della Speranza
Saint day July 2
Website Official website

Battipaglia (pronounced [ˌbattiˈpaʎʎa]) is a town and comune in the province of Salerno in the Campania region of south-western Italy, with 50,485 inhabitants.[1]

History

The area was given its modern name in 1080, when Robert Guiscard confirmed the possession of lands between the Sele river and Tusciano river to the Church of Salerno. The Castelluccio, mentioned in the document, was owned by the Church of Salerno, then it moved on to Count Marcoaldo, to the Teutonic Order, back to the Church of Salerno, to the Doria family, and finally to Marquis Giulio Pignatelli. Battipaglia was created by Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies as an agricultural colony in 1858, being defined as an independent municipality by a Royal Decree on 28 March 1929. The bourbonic authorities had already chosen Battipaglia as the site of an agricultural colony, where families who had survived the 1857 earthquake in Basilicata could be rehoused. During the second world war, in 1943, the town was bombed several times by the American aviators. In 1953, Socialist mayor Lorenzo Rago disappeared, and despite police searches, he won't be found anymore. In the years following the end of World War II, Battipaglia started growing again, witnessing a big increase in population (mostly, people from the neighboring towns) and a significant development in the industrial sector. In 1969, due to the threat to close two large plants of sugar and tobacco (which employed a large number of inhabitants), half of the city protested and gave life to a popular uprising, which would be calmed down after short time (thanks to the guarantee given by the government not to close the plants) with 2 victims.[2] Since then, the town has managed to combine the agriculture (the French company Bonduelle has established one of its two plants in Italy here) to the technology (Battipaglia hosts a Prysmian's plant). On May 8, 2013, the then-mayor of Battipaglia (Giovanni Santomauro) was notified of an ordinance for bid rigging, bribery and aggravated abuse of office for allegedly granting of public contracts (worth a total of € 5 million) to members of the Casalesi clan, which is the reason of his resignation and the dissolution of the parish council.

Geography

The municipality borders with Bellizzi, Eboli, Montecorvino Rovella, Olevano sul Tusciano and Pontecagnano Faiano. Its hamlets (frazioni) are Aversana, Santa Lucia Inferiore, Spineta, Belvedere, Taverna delle Rose, Serroni (Alto e Basso) and Rione Sant'Anna.

Economy

Most of the town's wealth is due to the industrial sector, the craft sector, and the agricultural sector. The major factories in the city, in addition to Prysmian and Bonduelle, belong to many companies operating in different sectors: Sivam (animal husbandry), Metzeler (auto parts), Alcatel-Lucent (research center), Telerobot (electronic equipment), Nexans (electric cables), Crown (packaging in metal closures), Paif, Jcoplastic, and Deriblok (plastic). In addition, in Battipaglia several dairy companies produce the well-known local buffalo mozzarella (Mozzarella di bufala campana DOP).

Culture

Media

  • Il Battipagliese (press)
  • Radio Castelluccio (radio)
  • La Città di Salerno (press)
  • Controcorrente (press)
  • I Fatti (press)
  • Il Giornale Della Libertà (press)
  • Il Mattino-Salerno (press)
  • Metropolis-Salerno (press)
  • Nero su Bianco (press)
  • L'Occhio di Salerno e provincia (press)
  • Roma-Salerno (press)
  • Sei TV (Television)
  • Lo Spiffero (press)
  • La Voce (press)

Demographics

As for population, Battipaglia is the third municipality of its province, after Salerno and Cava de' Tirreni.[3]

Literature

  • L. Rocco Carbone, Battipaglia, 70 anni nella sua storia, Massa Editore 1999.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 (Italian) Source: Istat 2013
  2. ↑ ITALIANS BURY 2 KILLED IN RIOTING; Prelate at Battipaglia Rites Asks Calm in Tense City http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50A13F83E5E1B7493C0A8178FD85F4D8685F9
  3. ↑ (Italian) See list (from it.wp)

External links

Media related to Battipaglia at Wikimedia Commons

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