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Home > Travel Italy > Italy Destinations > Santa Maria Capua Vetere
Santa Maria Capua Vetere
Italy, officially the Italian Republic or Repubblica Italiana, is a Southern European country comprising of the Po River valley, the Italian Peninsula and the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily and Sardinia. It is shaped like a boot and for this reason Italians commonly call it lo Stivale, the boot or, due to its prevalent peninsular
geographical nature, la Penisola, the Peninsula.
Santa Maria Capua Vetere is a town and commune in the province of Caserta, part of the region of Campania. The town was known as Santa Maria Maggiore until 1861. The city area is 36 per square kilometers. Its population in 2003 was 30,842 and density 2,009 per square kilometers. Santa Maria Capua Vetere is located on the site of the ancient Roman city of Capuae. The other commune of Capua was founded after the old city was destroyed by the Saracens in 841 CE, Christian Era.
In the 4th century BCE, Before Christian era Capuae was the largest city in Italy after Rome. The city was damaged by Vandal ravages but later recovered and became the seat of an independent Lombard principate. However, during the struggle of the succession to the Duchy of Benevento, it was destroyed by a band of Saracens in 841 CE. The main sight in city is Santa Maria Maggiore. The other main landmark of Santa Maria Capua Vetere is the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, founded, according to the tradition, by Pope Symmachus in the 5th century. The church had originally a single nave, but was enlarged by Lombard Prince Arichis II in 787. Another renovation was carried out in 1666 by Cardinal Robert Bellarmine, with the addition of two further aisles.
Santa Maria, justifiably so, enjoys a very positive reputation with worldwide travelers, and is one of the most visited place. It is also said the place of best geographical environment and can trace its origins back to prehistoric times.
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