Boville Ernica

Boville Ernica
Comune
Comune di Boville Ernica
Boville Ernica
Location of Boville Ernica in Italy
Coordinates: 41°39′N 13°28′E / 41.650°N 13.467°E / 41.650; 13.467Coordinates: 41°39′N 13°28′E / 41.650°N 13.467°E / 41.650; 13.467
Country Italy
Region Lazio
Province Frosinone (FR)
Government
  Mayor Enzo Perciballi
Area
  Total 28 km2 (11 sq mi)
Elevation 450 m (1,480 ft)
Population (30 November 2016)
  Total 8,622
  Density 310/km2 (800/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
  Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code 03022
Dialing code 0775
Patron saint St. Pietro Ispano and St. Rocco
Saint day March 11
Website Official website

Boville Ernica is a town and comune in the province of Frosinone, Lazio, Italy. It is located over the summit of a steep hill commanding the Liri, Cosa and Sacco valleys.

History

The town's history stretches back to pre-Roman times, which is testified by its numerous archaeological findings and prehistoric Pelasgic walls. Its primordial name, "Bauco", recalls the ancient agricultural worship of the god Bove, symbol of fertility. In the archaeological area of Monte Fico, where once stood a temple dedicated to this divinity, there have come to light votive statuettes featuring oxen.

Boville Ernica was once situated on the plains below its present site, but after the Saracen and Hungarian invasions (9th–10th centuries), its population moved to the higher levels of Monte Fico, where the ancient center was transformed into one of the most fortified towns in the region.

Main sights

In addition to the Pelasgic walls, sights include the castle and its Medieval walls having as many as 18 turrets and towers (alternating as round and square shapes), all standing completely intact.

Boville is also home to many Renaissance palaces and churches. Among them is the church of San Pietro Ispano, erected in the 12th century over the grotto in which for many years the Patron Saint lived. The church still conserves an early-Christian sarcophagus, two reliquaries, belonging to S. Pietro Ispano and S. Lucy, a chapel once belonging to the noble family of the Simoncelli, a Sansovino basrelief and a mosaic attributed to Giotto.

Personalities

References



    This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.