A small village in the Sub Northern Dauno Apennines, Cassano delle Murge rises on the border with Molise on a pleasant hill overlooking the Fortore valley which is now occupied by the artificial reservoir of Occhito. Its territory is rich in waters, woods and placed at the intersection of large historic roads such as sheep tracks of transhumance. A magical place, rich in history and traditions, where time seems to have stopped.
Celenza Valfortore is a small village of the sub-Apennines northern Dauno. It rises on the borders with the Molise on a pleasant hillside from which overlooks the valley of the Fortore occupied today by the artificial basin of Occhito. Its territory is rich in waters, forests and situated at the crossroads of great historical streets such as the tracks of the transhumance. This peculiarity has allowed the populating of its territory since Neolithic times. The historiography wants founded by Diomedes on Colle della Valva, strategic outpost between the valleys of the box, of the cap and of the Fortore, with the name of Celenna. It nods Virgil in Book VII of the Aeneid:
QUIQUE RUFRAS BATULUMQUE TENENT ATQUE ARVA CELENNAE
THE ANCIENT Celenna countered, allying themselves with the Samnites, the expansion of Rome and it was subdued and destroyed in the aftermath of victory that the romans obtained on Pirro and its allies in 275 B.C. to "Maleventum", since then renamed "Beneventum". For historical memory is handed down that for order of the consul Manlio Curio toothed, winner in Benevento, Celenna was razed to the ground and on its ruins was done to rub salt to signify that it was no longer necessary to resurrect. The scattered population gathered on the current hill reconstructing the inhabited center to which he gave the name of "Celentia to Valvam"
the earth of Celenza with its casali re-emerged from the darkness of the years which followed the fall of the Roman Empire, depopulation, to the dispersion to the devastation, with the new phenomenon of urbanization and the fortification that coincided with the beginning of feudalism. In the Byzantine period changes its name to "Celentia to Valvam" in "Celentia in captained". With the Swabian period begins the long series of the feudal lords that detennero the feud of Celenza until the advent of the Parthenopean Republic. Between the feudal distinguished themselves for a considerable period of time the exponents of the noble family of the pisana of Gambacorta. Their lordship gave stability to the feud and allowed them cultural development, political and social. They sought to bring in "province" culture and the taste of the capital: Naples. Many of the monumental buildings present in Celenza saw the light during their seigniory, as evidenced by the large presence on the same of the coat of arms of the noble family. They dedicated themselves to the reconstruction of monuments and buildings of worship destroyed during the earthquake of 1456. In 1571 Celenza takes the name of "Celenza of Valle Fortore" and adopts the Goddess Ceres as emblem of the city.
Not to be missed some interesting places to visit such as the monastery of San Nicola and its Antiquarium, the Mother Church of Santa Croce and the Baronial Palace.
In August you can not miss the Palio delle Contrade and Festival from savcicc, where you can enjoy typical local dishes and traditional products of this land, including the famous salami, which are precisely prepared winter before on the occasion of the Palio.
Village of Celenza Valfortore
Municipality of Celenza Valfortore
Province of Foggia
Apulia Region
inhabitants: 1.598
Altitude center: 480 m a.s.l.
Municipality
Via C. Alberto 2 - Tel. +39 0881 554016
ON THE TRAIN
The festival "da Savcicc" (Sausage Festival)
The event is truly unique. More than a festival, this is a real traditional review, which appears to be structured in five distinct moments, located in the course of the year. The initiative is dedicated to pork worked: salami, sausages, ham and "savcicc" (sausage), and has its roots in the night of the times and which for centuries has been handed down from generation to generation. The festival is inspired by the ancient peasant reality. The intent is to revitalize the foreshortening historical-gastronomy of peasant life astride two centuries: end '800 and early '900. The aim is to protect the cultural heritage gastronomic linked to a typical gestures, which still today takes place in homes around the village of Celenza Valfortore.
Everything begins on 13 December, the day of Santa Lucia, in occasion of the traditional fair. In this occasion it proceeds to the allocation of a pig to the two districts of the town (Tower and Convent). The 26 December occurs then slaughter, which respects an ancient protocol, while the aftermath, after a day of maturation, the kitchens of the contradas come into full activity for the preparation of the skill. Everything is done to the old-fashioned way: from the meat processing methods of conservation and maturing, with the aim of filling the pantry with sausages, cotechini, hams and other tasty sausages, which will serve to prepare the typical dishes during the feast of August and, then, for the coveted prize. The occasion also serves to retrieve other ancient customs as to allow, in a few days, the people to dedicate the starling canzonatori to rich: the "maitanate".
A first tasting of salami takes place on the last Sunday of carnival. In this occurrence is possible to taste the "cavcchiat", ancient dish made with stale bread, wild vegetables, all seasoned with fried prepared with bacon, sausages and pork chops. In this way if it assesses the quality, pending the final challenges. After this phase the palio grants you a long suspension for the seasoning of the stuffed products.
The challenge between the noble "Tower", the emblem of the nobility and the "Magnificent Convent", symbol of the people, reaches its climax in August. The two districts, which enclose all the districts of the country, descend in the field contend for the Palio delle Contrade. The first group (11 August) and the second (13) preparing typical dishes and specialities based on products coming from the production of pork meat. Who will win?
After carefully evaluating the culinary skills, the respect of the tradition, the care in the realization of the typical costumes and the reports at the time in which the festival gets used, the jury pronounces the verdict on the 15th of August, and with a specific protocol the celebrity "Guarantor" officially assigns the Palio. A banner showing at the center the effigy of the goddess Cerere, symbol of Celenza, with the addition of two fields representing the districts: the first, on a yellow background, the symbol of the ancient baronial tower; the second, on a red background, the image of the monastery of the Poor Clares.
Win Le Contrade, but also tourists.
Therefore go in the area for the palio, in addition to spend pleasant moments of peasant life and genuine taste typical dishes, will give you the opportunity to become better acquainted with the territory, the landscape beauties and the traditions of the village of Celenza Valfortore.
