Nusco

History

Hannibal crossed this area during the Punic Wars. According to legend, some of Hannibal's elephants became ensconced in the mud of the river to the east. As his elephants drowned, the General mourned the death of these great beasts. As such, the river that extends through this valley became known as, and remains known as, the Ofanto (a corruption of Italian "elefante") River.

The Lombards built a castle in Nusco to defend the valley from the Ofanto river to the Calore. It played a very important role in Irpinia life until the 17th century. In 1656, plague struck Irpinia, killing up to a third of Nusco's population. In addition to the high death toll, the plague irrevocably changed Nusco's social structure. The town started to lose its economic power, and until the second half of the 20th century Nusco's history was strictly linked to the history of the Church.

For years, Nusco experienced the poverty and misery typical of rural towns. Vestiges of feudal relationships left the peasant farmers with little wealth. In the late 19th century, families left Nusco for other, wealthier regions of Italy, as well as for new opportunities in South America and the United States. These emigrants from Nusco never forgot their roots. Some later returned to their homeland.

The 1980 Irpinia earthquake did not destroy the oldest and most important buildings.

Main sights

The Lombard castle, built around the 9th century.

The Cathedral, whose Renaissance portal was moved to the church of St. Anthony in 1548.

The Church of Saint Stephen, holding the remains of Saint Amatus of Nusco.

The Church of Saint Anthony, which stands beneath the remains of the old castle, just beyond the Superior Gate that allowed entrance into the eastern section of the medieval town.

Every year in mid-January, the inhabitants organize "La Notte dei Falò" (Bonfire Night), a traditional event where they light large fires in the streets.