San Giuliano di Puglia is a municipality located in the Fortore valley, on the border with Puglia, characterized by rolling hills that lead to the sea. Tragically known for the earthquake that hit the area on October 31, 2002, the town still offers several attractions to visitors.
The name of the municipality derives from the chapel dedicated to San Giuliano, which was an important meeting point for the original community. The first historical mentions date back to 976, with a Diploma of the Duchy of Benevento, and in the same year the Abbey of Sant’Elena was built, donated by the “Winnili” princes to the Benedictines, who divided the territory into plots to be cultivated, starting the settlement of new populations.
The town is located on a plateau and includes the inhabited center and the locality of Colle Monte. After the 2002 earthquake, the center was completely renovated, although some temporary structures and wooden houses still remain. Among the historic buildings of the old urban agglomeration, which develops around the Mother Church, are the Palazzo marchesale, the Town Hall and numerous historic buildings that overlook narrow streets and small squares. Also worth a visit are the church of San Giuliano and the chapel of Sant’Elena, rebuilt on the ruins of the ancient abbey. In the new part of the town, where the Jovine school destroyed by the earthquake once stood, today there is the “Parco della Memoria”.
The surroundings of San Giuliano offer various trails, with the route towards Lago di Occhito being particularly popular. The main festival takes place in June in honor of Sant’Antonio, with parades of decorated floats through the streets of the town.
Among the typical dishes of the local culinary tradition, fusilli and cauciuni, sweets filled with chickpea pasta, stand out. Despite its history marked by tragic events, San Giuliano di Puglia is a place rich in culture, history and traditions to discover.