Benvenuti / Welcome to
Castelforte
Castelforte is situated on a hill at 130 metres above the sea level and overlooks the Garigliano and coastal plains.
It is thought to have been founded on the ruins of an ancient settlement, named Vescia, which was the capital city of the Aurunci people, this was invaded and destroyed by the Romans in 342 BC. New settlements occurred from 881 to 915, as people became vulnerable to Saracen invasions.
The farmers that worked down on the plains fled this area seeking refuge on the higher reaches where a fortified town, known as Castrum Forte, was constructed.
The town was protected by strong town walls guarded by cylindrical towers which had a dominating view of the terrain below. In 1320 many inhabitants from the nearby fortification at Suio also moved here to flee an outbreak of malaria.
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Both of these strongholds were built to guard the fast flowing River Garigliano, which served as an important inland waterway, connecting Montecassino and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Due to its strategic importance the Garigliano was the site of numerous fierce battles over the ages.
The first was fought in 915 was between the forces of the Christian League, a coalition of Pope John X and some loyal Christian princes from southern Italy, against the Saracens who themselves had established a fortified colony near the ancient town of Minturnae/Traetto.
The Christian victory over the Saracens ended this long period of terror and plunder.
In 1503 another Battle of the Garigliano was fought between the French forces of Louis XII and Spanish forces lead by Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, which resulted in the Spanish gaining control of the Kingdom of Naples.
In 1798 / 1799, during the Napoleonic invasion local citizens fought alongside the notorious brigand, Fra Diavolo to resist the incursion, however the town eventually fell to the French on Easter Day of 1799.
In 1807 Suio, now severely depopulated, became part of the municipality of Castelforte.
SS Cosma e Damiano
Suio Terme
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