Pagani, Campania

Pagani
Comune
Comune di Pagani

Panoramic view
Pagani

Location of Pagani in Italy

Coordinates: 40°44′N 14°37′E / 40.733°N 14.617°ECoordinates: 40°44′N 14°37′E / 40.733°N 14.617°E
Country Italy
Region Campania
Province Salerno (SA)
Government
  Mayor Alberico Gambino (since May 27, 2002)
Area
  Total 12 km2 (5 sq mi)
Elevation 35 m (115 ft)
Population (2004)
  Total 34,775
  Density 2,900/km2 (7,500/sq mi)
Demonym Paganese (Paganesi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 84016
Dialing code 081
Patron saint St. Alphonse
Saint day August 1
Website Official website
"Paganese" redirects here. For the soccer team, see Paganese Calcio 1926.

Pagani is a town and comune in Campania, Italy, administratively part of the Province of Salerno. It had 34,775 inhabitants, as of December 31, 2004.

History

In the period before the Roman supremacy in southern Italy, Taurania appears to have been the chief town in the valley of the Sarnus, Herculaneum, Pompeii, Stabiae and Surrentum all being dependent upon it. It maintained its allegiance to Rome till 309 BC when it joined the revolted Samnites. In 308 BC it repulsed a Roman attempt to land at the mouth of the Sarnus, but in 307 BC it was besieged and surrendered. Under Romans it was named Barbatianus. It obtained favourable terms, and remained faithful to Rome even after Cannae.

Hannibal reduced it in 216 BC by starvation, and destroyed the town. The inhabitants returned when peace was restored. Even during the Social War it remained true to Rome. In 73 BC it was plundered by Spartacus.

A small colony of Saracens was actually introduced in the town around the 9th century.

It was united to Nocera Inferiore, and it took the name of Nuceria Paganorum, by the Pagans, a noble family living in the castle of Curtis in Plano, in Pagani. A famous member of this family was Ugo de' Pagani.

Overview

The town hosts an annual feast, known as "Madonna delle Galline". During this week, people dance in the streets to folk songs called "Tammurriate". The town is home to the football team, S.S. Paganese.

References

    External links

    Media related to Pagani at Wikimedia Commons