Alvito, an ancient village of Samnite origin, according to historians, rises from the ruins of old Cominium, founded by the Romans approximately in 291 B
Alvito, an ancient village of Samnite origin, according to historians, rises from the ruins of old Cominium, founded by the Romans approximately in 291 B.C.. After the decline of the Roman Empire, it was devastated by the Lombards first, and by Federico Barbarossa’s armed forces then. Up till now, at the foot of the hill, stands the typical village of Alvito. On top of the hill, Cantelmo’s Castle towers above the town, as a symbol of the past civilization. Unfortunately, today we can see only the remains of the castle, towers and walls that still reveal how architecture was at that time, armorial bearings and emblems that can hardly represent the greatness and majesty of the manor-house that belonged to Cantelmos, a noble powerful family related to the Royal Family of Aragon. This family was so great and powerful, it owned such immense wealth that it had its own Mint in Sora, where they minted a coin, the “Silver Bolognino”, with Cantelmo’s coat of arms, known and exchanged around Italy. Cantelmo’s feud reached the territories of Sora, Vicalvi and Atina. Around the early 16th century, Alvito knew its maximum magnificence, being dwelled by 10,000 souls and becoming the administrative center of Comino Valley. When the Cantelmo dynasty started to decay, even the village of Alvito started a slow and constant decline, that generated a series of battles, conquests and destructions. Nowadays, all we have left of the castle is impressive remains of towers and retaining walls. The first core of the castle was built at the end of the 11th century by the Counts if Marsi, of Lombard descent, when by the slopes of Mt. Albeto there already were human settlements. By the end of the 12th century, CIVITAS SANCTI URBANI, a “Cassinian” possession born before the year one thousand around St. Urbano Church east of Mt. Albeto, by the hill called CIVITA’S, slowly started depopulating. Part of the population settled around the castle, in what would have become the CITTADELLA, surrounded by its walls with three doors. Another part settled by the underlying slope of Mt. Albeto, helping the start of those inhabited spots, close to a church, that would have characterized Comino Valley. The medieval castle, as we see it today, is what remains of the rebuilding after the earthquake that caused many damages to the strong walls in 1349. The rebuilding took place immediately, in 1350, thanks to Rostaino Cantelmo, whose great-great-grandparents had come to Italy after Charles d’Angiò. Cantelmo entered into possession of the castle because he was related to the previous Lords, the Counts of Aquino, who died under the ruins of the earthquake of 1349. Subsequently Rostaino Cantelmo extended the castle walls towards east and west until the valley adding several doors, near the towns of Peschio and Alvito. At night and in case of siege, the doors were closed to protect the inhabited centers. The only thing remained of the castle built in 1350 is the following inscription on the scroll upon the armorial bearing on the court door of the castle: “When for an earthquake there was general danger in several parts of the kingdom, these aged walls collapsing remained entirely settled down in the ground. But Rostaino, that noble man of the eminent and old Cantelmi family, repaired it in better and made a new castle with new walls and now keeping untamed his faithfulness, he makes it not less renowned and assures it the cry of that fable far in time. While the army of the king of Hungary had invaded the kingdom he, without forgiving or spending, made openly honor to what he had honestly promised, for many merits the king and the queen gave him this castle, empty at that time for the death of Atenulfo. If you’ll search for the year 1300 you’ll add 50 when the year of the jubilee kept open the doors of the sky for all the Christians, if you’ll ask the maker, get the name of Landulfo.”
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ragioneria@comune.alvito.fr.it
Di proprietà del comune