Eboli

Eboli is a town and comune of Campania, southern Italy, in the province of Salerno, on the south edge of the hills overlooking the valley of the Sele. An agricultural centre, Eboli is known mainly for olive oil and for dairy products, among which the most renowned is the buffalo mozzarella from the area. History The archaeological excavations prove that the area of Eboli has been inhabited since the Copper and Bronze Ages, and also attested (from the 5th century BC) is the presence of the so-called Villanovan civilization. The ancient Eburum was a Lucanian city, mentioned only by Pliny the Elder and in inscriptions, not far distant from the Campanian border. It lay above the Via Popilia, which followed the line taken by the modern railway. The Romans gave it the status of municipium. The town was destroyed first by Alaric I in 410 AD, and then by the Saracens in the 9th and 10th centuries. Later it was a stronghold of the Principality of Salerno, with a massive castle built by Robert Guiscard. During the 1930s Eboli was able to expand into the plain after a project of land reclamation carried out by the Fascist government. It was severely damaged during the Irpinia earthquake in 1980. Geography Eboli is located at the feet of Montedoro, a peripheral spur of the Monte Raione-Monte Ripalta group. Its territory, which is 90% plain, is formed by the alluvial plain of the Sele river, which bounds it southwards. The remaining part comprises hills part of the Monti Picentini Regional Park. Eboli borders with Albanella, Battipaglia, Campagna, Capaccio, Olevano sul Tusciano and Serre. Its hamlets (frazioni) are Campolongo, Cioffi, Corno d'oro, Fiocche, Santa Cecilia and Taverna Nova. Main sights The main attraction is the Colonna castle (11th century). Scanty remains of the ancient polygonal walls (4th century BC) can still be seen, as well as of a Roman imperial villa in the locality of Paterno. Eboli is also home to several 15th-16th century palazzi. The sacristy of St. Francis contains two 14th century pictures, one by Roberto da Oderisio of Naples. Also notable is the Badia (Abbey) of San Pietro alli Marmi (1076). Culture A local saying, Cristo si è fermato a Eboli ('Christ stopped at Eboli'), was used by 20th century writer Carlo Levi as the title of a book, referring to the enduring poverty in Basilicata. Eboli was the location where the road and railway to Basilicata branched away from the coastal north-south routes. The city is also home to the PalaSele, one of the largest indoor arenas in Campania. Twin towns Pastrana, Spain In media There is a film based on the book (in English, Christ Stopped at Eboli). See also S.S. Ebolitana 1925 References ^ Demographic data from Istat This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. External links Eboli official website (Italian)