Guardiaregia

Guardiaregia
Comune
Comune di Guardiaregia
Guardiaregia skyline
Guardiaregia skyline
Coat of arms of Guardiaregia
Coat of arms
Location of Guardiaregia
Map
Guardiaregia is located in Italy
Guardiaregia
Guardiaregia
Location of Guardiaregia in Italy
Guardiaregia is located in Molise
Guardiaregia
Guardiaregia
Guardiaregia (Molise)
Coordinates: 41°26′N 14°33′E / 41.433°N 14.550°E / 41.433; 14.550
CountryItaly
RegionMolise
ProvinceCampobasso (CB)
Government
 • MayorFabio Iuliano
Area
[1]
 • Total
43.71 km2 (16.88 sq mi)
Elevation
730 m (2,400 ft)
Population
 (30 November 2017)[2]
 • Total
783
 • Density18/km2 (46/sq mi)
DemonymGuardioli
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
86014
Dialing code0874
Patron saintSt. Nicholas
Saint dayMay 9
WebsiteOfficial website

Guardiaregia is a small mountain town in the Province of Campobasso, Molise, southern Italy. Their patron saint is San Nicola di Bari, otherwise known as St. Nicholas.

History

In ancient times it was a strongpoint of the Samnites, and was conquered by the Romans during the Samnite Wars (2nd century BC). Later it received the rights of a municipium.

The current settlement dates from the medieval Lombard Duchy of Benevento, when a castle was built here to protect Campochiaro.

In 1805 the town was hit with a sizable earthquake that destroyed (literally swallowed) the castle there in a chasm that opened as the ridge split from the mountain to which it was once attached.

That event was the principal cause of emigration from the city and today, "Piazza Toronto" (Toronto Plaza) stands in commemoration of those who sent aid and support to those who rebuilt the town. There was a vast number of immigrants to Canada and the United States during the Second World War. In Toronto there is a large community of Guardiaregians, and a Guardiaregia picnic is held annual.

References

  1. ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.



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