Caserta

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Comune di Caserta
Image:Caserta-Stemma.png Municipal coat of arms
Country	Image:Flag of Italy.svg Italy
Region	Campania
Province	Caserta (CE)
Mayor	Nicodemo Petteruti (since June 2006)

Elevation	m
Area	53 km²
Population
- Total (as of December 31, 2004)	79,488
- Density	1,415/km²
Time zone	CET, UTC+1
Coordinates	41°04′N 14°20′E
Gentilic	Casertani
Dialing code	0823
Postal code	81020 (Caserta Vecchia, Casola di Caserta), 81100 (Caserta)
Frazioni	See list
Patron	St. Sebastian and St. Anne

Website: www.comune.caserta.it

Caserta is the capital of the province of Caserta in the Campania region of Italy. It is an important agricultural, commercial and industrial comune and city. Caserta is located on the edge of the Campanian plain at the foot of the Campanian Subapennine mountain range. The city is best known for the Palace of Caserta.

1 History
2 Points of Interest
3 Frazioni (Comune Subdivisions)
4 External links

[edit] History

Modern Caserta was established around the defensive tower built in Lombard times by Pando, Prince of Capua. Pando destroyed the original city around 863. The tower is now part of the Palazzo della Prefettura which was once the seat of the counts of Caserta, as well as a Royal residence. The original population moved from Casertavecchia (former bishopric seat) to the current site in the 16th century.

The city and vicinity were the property of the Acquaviva family, who, being pressed by huge debts, sold all the land to the royal family. The royal family then selected Caserta for the construction of their new palace.

[edit] Points of Interest

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Caserta's main attraction is its Royal Palace (listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The palace was created in the 18th century by the Dutch architect Luigi Vanvitelli as a Versailles-like residence ("Reggia") for the Bourbon kings of Naples and Sicily.

Palazzo Vecchio ("Old Palace"), a construction of the 14th century renovated by Luigi Vanvitelli as provisional residence for the royal court.
Cathedral (18th century).

[edit] Frazioni (Comune Subdivisions)

Casertavecchia is the ancient centre of the comune and former bishopric seat.
San Leucio, seat of famous Royal silk workshops, also included in the World Heritage List.
Vaccheria, which housed the stable of the Royal cattle.
Falciano is a former bishop seat; it includes a 16th century palace.
Piedimonte di Casolla has an ancient Benedictine abbey, built over a Roman temple dedicated to Diana.

Other frazioni include: Aldifreda, Briano, Casola, Casolla, Centurano, Ercole, Garzano, Mezzano, Pozzovetere, Puccianiello, Sala di Caserta, San Benedetto, San Clemente, Santa Barbara, Staturano, Tredici, Tuoro.