Candida (Avellino)

Infobox CityIT
img_coa =Candida_(AV)-Stemma.png official_name = Comune di Candida
name=Candida
region = Campania
province = Avellino (AV)
elevation_m = 579
area_total_km2 = 5.43
population_as_of = December 31, 2004
population_total = 1129
population_density_km2 =207.92
timezone = CET, UTC+1
coordinates = coord|40|57|N|14|53|E
frazioni =
mapx=41
mapy=14.9
telephone = 0825
postalcode = 83040
gentilic = Candidesi
saint = St. Philip Neri
day = May 26
mayor =
website = [http://www.comune.candida.av.it www.comune.candida.av.it]

Candida is a small town and "comune" (municipality) in the province of Avellino within the Campania region of Italy. It sits on top of a hill, at an altitude of 579 metres and has around 1100 inhabitants. It is located at 10%nbsp;km from Avellino.

The economy is mostly relying on agriculture.

History

The first human settlements in the territory date back to the Roman times. Many ruins have been found in the localities of Cesine, Vigna, Selvetelle, Scandravoli, Giardino, Ponticelli, Gaudi, Toppa S. Andrea. The name of the town derives from the Latin "locus candidus" which means clear, shining place.

The first historical mention of the town appeared in 1045 when Candida was included, under the Lombard domination, in the Avellino county. From that time many feudal lords followed one another. The Filangieri family owned the fiefdom from 1187 with Alduino de Candida, until 1420 when Caterina Filangieri de Candida gave the fiefdom of Candida as a dowry to Sergianni Caracciolo. Then the fiefdom passed to the De Cardona, Magnacervo, Grimaldi, Saulli families back to the Caracciolos that kept it until the abolition of the feudal system.

Main sights

*Church of "SS. Trinità" (monastery of "Sant'Agostino"), originally in Gothic style. It was rebuilt in Renaissance style after 1550.
*Monastery and church of Montevergine, built in the 15th century.
*Collegiata Church (1540).
*Remains of the Lombard castle