| Caserta | |
| Coordinates: | 41.0667°N 34°W |
| Region: | Campania |
| Province: | Caserta (CE) |
| Frazioni: | Aldifreda, Briano, Casertavecchia, Casola, Casolla, Centurano, Ercole, Falciano, Garzano, Mezzano, Piedimonte di Casolla, Pozzovetere, Puccianiello, Sala di Caserta, San Benedetto, San Clemente, San Leucio, Santa Barbara, Staturano, Tredici, Tuoro, Vaccheria |
| Mayor: | Carlo Marino |
| Area Total Km2: | 54.07 |
| Population Total: | 76326 |
| Population As Of: | 1 January 2016 |
| Population Demonym: | Casertani |
| Elevation M: | 68 |
| Saint: | St. Sebastian and St. Anne |
| Day: | 20 January and 26 July |
| Postal Code: | 81100 (Caserta), 81020 (Caserta Vecchia, Casola di Caserta) |
| Area Code: | 0823 |
Caserta (pronounced as /it/ pronounced as /it/, pronounced as /nap/) is the capital of the province of Caserta in the Campania region of Italy. An important agricultural, commercial, and industrial comune and city, Caserta is located 36 kilometers north of Naples on the edge of the Campanian plain at the foot of the Campanian Subapennine mountain range. The city is best known for the 18th-century Bourbon Royal Palace of Caserta.
Anciently inhabited by Osco-Samnite tribes, modern Caserta was established around the defensive tower built in Lombard times by Pando, Prince of Capua. Pando destroyed the original city around 863. The tower is now part of the Palazzo della Prefettura that was once the seat of the counts of Caserta, as well as a royal residence. The original population moved from Casertavecchia (former bishopric seat) to the current site in the sixteenth century. Casertavecchia was built on the Roman town of Casa Irta, meaning "home village located above" and later contracted as "Caserta".
The city and vicinity were the property of the Acquaviva family who, being pressed by huge debts, sold all the land to the royal family. The royal family then selected Caserta for the construction of their new palace which, being inland, was seen as more defensible than the previous palace fronting the Bay of Naples.
At the end of World War II, the royal palace served as the seat of the Supreme Allied Commander. The first Allied war trial took place there in 1945; German general Anton Dostler was sentenced to death and executed nearby, in Aversa.[1]
Pope Francis visited Caserta on Monday, 28 June 2014, together with a friend named Giovanni Traettino, the pastor of an evangelical, charismatic-Pentecostal Protestant church. The Pope apologized for the complicity of some Catholics in the persecution of Protestant Pentecostals during the fascist regime in Italy.[2]
Caserta is located 40km (30miles) north of Naples. Its municipality borders with Capua, Casagiove, Casapulla, Castel Morrone, Curti, Limatola (BN), Maddaloni, Marcianise, Recale, San Felice a Cancello, San Marco Evangelista, San Nicola la Strada, San Prisco, Sant'Agata de' Goti (BN), Santa Maria Capua Vetere, and Valle di Maddaloni.
The city of Caserta is located in the largest flat area of Campania and is surrounded by the Apennine mountains. The particular position favors the beneficial influences of the sea which, especially in winter, makes temperatures mild. During the summer season, this area is one of the hottest in the region, with maximum temperatures sometimes exceeding 30 degrees. The inland areas extend to the surrounding mountains, often affected by the cold currents of the north-east with fairly low temperatures and snow in winter. The Matese is the coldest and snowiest in the whole area.
The city of Caserta distinguished itself during the Second World War; in fact, it was decorated with the gold medal for civil valor and the bronze medal for military valor for the heroic actions and losses suffered during the war. The city was fiercely bombed and suffered a violent reprisal, but it managed to resist and, with the return of peace, all the people collaborated in the reconstruction of Caserta.
See also: List of mayors of Caserta. Carlo Marino, mayor of Caserta, was elected mayor of Caserta in June 2016 with 62.74%.[3]
As one of the most visited monuments in Italy, the palace has more than 1200 rooms, decorated in various styles. It has been the set for several famous movies such as , , Angels & Demons, and . The park is 2miles long and contains many waterfalls, lakes, and gardens, including a very famous English garden.
The city has some experience in hosting major international sports events, such as the EuroBasket 1969.
It is home to JuveCaserta Basket, Italy's 1991 basketball champion.
Caserta railway station is a hub for regional and national traffic, and represents an important interchange linking Rome and Naples to Bari. The nearest airport is Naples-Capodichino, located approximately 30km (20miles) south.
Caserta is the starting point of the A30 motorway to Salerno and is served by two exits of A1 motorway: Caserta Nord (Caserta North, near Casagiove and Casapulla) and Caserta Sud (Caserta South, near Marcianise and San Marco Evangelista).
Caserta is twinned with:
