Montefredane

Montefredane
—  Comune  —
Comune di Montefredane
Montefredane Location of Montefredane in Italy
Coordinates: 40°58′N 14°49′E / 40.967°N 14.817°E / 40.967; 14.817Coordinates: 40°58′N 14°49′E / 40.967°N 14.817°E / 40.967; 14.817
Country	Italy
Region	Campania
Province	Avellino (AV)
Frazioni	Alimata (Frazione Gaita), Arcella, Boscomagliano (o Bosco Magliano), Montefredane
Area
– Total	9 km2 (3.5 sq mi)
Population (1 May 2009)[1]
– Total	2,284
– Density	253.8/km2 (657.3/sq mi)
Demonym	Montefredanesi
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
– Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	83030
Dialing code	0825
Patron saint	San Nicola
Saint day	6 December
Website	Official website

Montefredane is a comune in the province of Avellino, Campania, Italy.

History

The area where Montefredane stands today was inhabited in ancient times by the Samnites. Later, Roman populations settled near the present days village of Arcella.
The main buildings of Montefredane date back to the sixth century AD, when the inhabitants of Abellinum (now Atripalda) fled here after the destruction of their village.
In the Middle Ages, Montefredane was mentioned in the Montefredane Catalogus Baronum (1150-1168) as part of the county of Avellino. In the following centuries, through ups and downs related to the names of several noble families, such as De Tufo, Capece, Brancaccio and Orsini, Montefredane gained increasing importance, until the plague of 1656 greatly reduced its development. Between 1650 and 1806 the land was owned by the noble family of Caracciolo, who brought it to its former splendor with the construction of the castle.
In 1980 the town was badly damaged by the earthquake in Irpinia.

References

1. ^ Demographics and other statistics from the Italian statistical institute (Istat); (Italian)Dati - Popolazione residente all'1/5/2009