Campania

Campania is a region in Southwestern Italy. The population is over 5.8 million people. The region is divided into five provinces: Naples, Benevento, Avellino, Caserta and Salerno. Campania is home to Mt. Vesuvius, the preserved Roman City of Pompeii, ancient Greek City of Paestum, the Amalfi Coast, and the island of Capri. The Greeks first colonized Campania’s coast yet the Etruscans colonized the inner plains!

Campania has many iconic foods and dishes. When one thinks of Italian food… Pizza and Pasta usually come to mind. There is a highly debated topic amongst foodies and historians as to “Who Invented Pizza first?” Many people credit baker Raffaele Esposito from the Naples region, but others believe pizza dates back to the late 1800’s.

The history of this region is fascinating:

Mt. Vesuvius destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 AD in an eruption that lastes more than 24 hours. Mt Vesuvius last erupted in 1944 during the height of WWII. Today over 3 million people live in the area of Mt. Vesuvius.

The Legend of the Witches of Benevento is folklore that dates back to the 13 century. The belief is that this area was a gathering place for Italian witches. They would meet under the walnut tree and chant magical phrases.

The Island of Ischia is the largest of 3 popular islands in Campania. It was called the Island of Monkeys because it was full of primates at the time. A volcanic eruption is said to be the cause of the death of these monkeys.

The Islands of Procida and Capri are polar opposites. Procida is the smallest and least touristic island. This is a place where you will be able to witness the slow life and understand La Dolce Vita. Capri is the most famous island of Campania. Before celebrities and the wealthy lived there, legend has it that mythical creatures used to inhabit the island!

If you are planning a trip, this would be a great region to visit! XX Elizabeth