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Italy - Information on Fragneto Monforte in the Province of Benevento

The name of the village probably originates from “farnie”, a type of oaks that grows here. In 1133 Fragneto Monforte was part of the County of Ariano, owned by Rodolfo Pinello, loyal to the king Ruggero the Norman.

The local chronicler Falcone reported that the old village and its castle were conquered and pillaged by Earl Rainulfo, and the built-up area was burnt. It was a feud of the Gambatesa family first and then Ferdinand II of Aragon sold it to Andrea di Capoa. It went down in history with the Battle and the Siege of Circello, when Ferdinand II “laied it waste”. Also the histographer Guicciardini mentioned it in his “Italian History”. It was subsequently ceded to D. Ferrante Montalto, viceregal lieutenant of the Kingdom in 1528.
The feud of Fragneto always belonged to the Montalto family as a Dukedom. In 1861, after the abolition of feudalism, it became part of the province of Benevento.

NOT TO BE MISSED:
1. The palace of the Dukes Montalto di Fragneto (sec. XV – XVII)
2. The classical parish church with its tower

Particularly interesting is the International Hot-Air Ballon Meeting that takes place every year in October; Italian and foreign crews pleasantly tinge the sky with their colourful hot-air ballons.

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