Alfano

Alfano is a village and small comune in the province of Salerno in the Campania region of south-western Italy. As of December 31, 2012 the comune had a population of 1082.

History

There is little reliable evidence on the ancient history of Alfano. However, according to tradition a large city existed on the slopes of Mount Centaurino, near the present frazione of Roccagloriosa, but this would have been destroyed in a catastrophic earthquake.

In 1496 the town was given to the Neapolitan noble Giovanni Carafa, Duke of Paliano.

Geography

Alfano borders with the municipalities of Laurito, Roccagloriosa and Rofrano.

Main sights

The main church in Alfano is the Church of Saint Nicholas. The Baronal Novelli Palace dates back to the 18th century. It has a grand entrance of stone, leading to a hall, and for some time served as the Town Hall of Alfano.

Palazzo dei Baroni Speranza, another palace, belonged to the Baron Speranza di Laurito. The palace, a large complex building complex elevated above the town, contains a central courtyard.

Alfanus of Camerota

Alfanus of Camerota (Italian: Alfano di Camerota) was the Archbishop of Capua from 1158 until his death around 1180. He was a very close friend to Pope Alexander III.

In 1163, the Pope wrote Alfanus to inform him of a plot against King William I of Sicily. Alfanus passed the information on to his nephew, Florius of Camerota, the justiciar of the principality of Salerno, who in turn warned the king.

On 1 March 1174, the pope confirmed the metropolitan status of the see of Capua and confirmed its suffragans as Aquino, Caiazzo, Calvi, Carinola, Caserta, Isernia, Sessa, Teano, and Venafro: all the churches of the Campania.

In the autumn of 1176, Alfanus accompanied Richard Palmer and Robert of Caserta with twenty-five galleys to Saint-Gilles to take custody of Joan, daughter of Henry II of England, who was betrothed to William II. He was present at the wedding in Palermo on 18 February 1177.

It is not known when Alfanus died, but his successor, Matthew, is attested on 13 March 1183.

Alfano (surname)

Alfano is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: