Borgo Medievale Caserta Vecchia

The medieval town of Caserta Vecchia is located around ten kilometres from the splendid Reggia in Caserta. Now the village is just an agricultural and tourist centre, but once it was an important episcopal and noble seat. The origins of the village are still unclear. Caserta Vecchia belonged to the Longobards around the 8th century, and in 1062 it was occupied by the Normans from Aversa. When it passed into the hands of the Swabians it reached the peak of its importance, but with the start of Aragonese domination it fell into decline which was completely carried out under the Bourbons. The inhabitants moved down to the plain (where Caserta is now) when Charles III gave instructions to build the Reggia in 1752. A cylindrical tower is all that remains of the ancient castle which once had six towers. It stands on the summit of the hill and dominates the village. Narrow little streets lead down from the castle to the Piazza del Vescovado. The most important buildings in the village are all located here. It is mainly the Cattedrale di San Michele Arcangelo which attracts tourists and art historians.

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