Scigliano

Although progressive depopulation has impoverished the village, the atmosphere is that of an authentic and hospitable place, where rituals and traditions are jealously guarded and handed down from generation to generation. Along with recipes, there are typical dishes with unique flavours, such as 'u cuattu di capra', which should naturally be enjoyed with a glass of Savuto DOC wine. The area is crossed by two rivers, the Savuto and its tributary, the Bisirico.

When you leave the road and enter the lush green mountains, you can discover Scigliano's hidden treasure: the Hannibal's Bridge, a Roman bridge connected to the glorious Via Popilia, which led from Capua to Reggio Calabria. According to historical sources, Scigliano was founded on a previous village called Sturni and developed around a castle commissioned in Roman times in 556. In the 16th century, Scigliano was one of the most famous municipalities in the Kingdom of Naples, loyal to the sovereigns of Naples, the Aragonese and the Bourbons. There is a vernacular poem in octaves entitled "The Blackmail of Scigliano" which recounts the episode of the sale of Scigliano in 1631 by the Viceroy of Naples, Duke D'Alcalà, to the Prince of Castiglione, Cesare D'Aquino, and its redemption on 12 September 1636. At the end of feudalism, in 1806, Scigliano was dismembered and its borders redrawn, with the loss of part of its territories. Confirming the cultural vitality of this municipality, it should be remembered that from 1845 to 1847, the scientific-literary fortnightly magazine Il Pitagora was published in Scigliano.

The streets of Scigliano tell the story of its long history, with ancient noble palaces and churches with finely carved marble portals. The Shrine of the Virgin of Monserrato dates back to the 17th century and its construction is linked to a miraculous event: the Madonna appeared in a dream to a shepherd and indicated a spot where he should dig. In that same place, the shepherd dug and found a painting, and so it was decided to erect the Sanctuary at the site of the discovery. There are numerous churches scattered throughout the nine hamlets of Scigliano, over twenty in total, some with particularly interesting portals and façades.

Outside the town, almost hidden and protected by the wild nature of the Savuto Valley, is Hannibal's Bridge, so called because legend has it that it was crossed by the troops of the powerful Carthaginian general. Some levels of the bridge date back to a period between 121 and 131 BC, making it one of the oldest bridges in Italy and Europe.