Pomigliano d’ArcoProgetto Comenius

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SUMMARY

Etymology

Curiosities

Economy

Places of interest

Demographical development

Pomigliano d’Arco

Etymology of

Pomgliano D’arco In Roman times Pomigliano was called “Pompilianus”

from “Gens Pompilia” and meant “land of Pompilii”. The name “Pompilianus” was then changed by the

Neapolitan dialect into “Pompiliano” and then into the Italian “Pomigliano”. The expression “d’arco” may come from an aqueduct with arches of Roman origins , taking

water from Mount Serino to Naples.

Curiosities

Pomigliano has a population of about 40,000 inhabitants and it is well connected to the main town, Naples, as well as to the

many villages and small towns nearby.There are many schools in Pomigliano–from elementary to secondary high schools and university. The Clock Tower

Palace is the site of the university course for Tourism of Suor Orsola Benincasa University in Naples.

A course for sommelier is also held at the Wine University, located not far from the ancient palace site of the City hall.

Every two years the international competition “Premio Internazionale Città di Pomigliano d’Arco” is held. It is a

poetry, narrative literature, visual art, journalism competition, started by Tina Piccolo in 1992.

Every year in July an international jazz festival takes place . Its name is “Pomigliano Jazz Festival “

Economy

In the past Pomigliano was a rural area and its 10,000 inhabitants were mostly farm labourers. The most common cultivations were potatoes, beans, wheat, tomatoes, cabbages and hemp, above all. It represented the most important cultivation for the economy of Pomigliano, since many other activities were connected to it, like handicraft. Leather manufacturing for harness was widespread . This activity was closed about seven-eight years ago.

Nowadays the economy of Pomigliano is based on aeronautical industry and car industry. In 1938 the institution for the industrial reconstruction (IRI) charged Alfa Romeo to found an aircraft plant in the South of Italy and Pomigliano was chosen as its site. The industrial plant favoured the development of the town and new houses were built for local people working there. For all the other people who worked for the plant but were not local resident a hotel was built and a cinema, a library, a nursery school and sports fields as well . Ugo Gobbato , who was general manager at Alfa Romeo , was able to create an aircraft plant that produced technologically advanced engines and met the increasing demand for work by southern people . In 1942 the production of Daimler engines started: they were mostly used by the Germans . In 1943 the town was bombed two times and the town was destroyed together with Alfa Romeo . In 1952 the aircraft production started again to reach a full development in the 70s and 80s. In the 90s a collaboration with Boeing was started.

The constant evolution process of the aircraft plant in Pomigliano led to the creation of Alfa Romeo car industry .At the beginning of the 70s the model for a new car , Alfa Sud , was presented at the Car Show in Torino. The new car was very successful and the total invoicing increased remarkably. Alfa kept a leading role for many years, but due to financial problems it was sold to Fiat in 1986.The Alfa-Fiat plant is well-known for the production of car models such as Alfa 33, 155,145,146,147.

Pictures

At present , due to the world economical crisis, the Fiat plant in Pomigliano has decreased the production . About 15,000 workers run the risk of losing their work ; 5,000 work in the plant itself, 10,000 work for activities linked to Fiat. For many months they have been suspended temporarily and have been living on unemployment benefits : 750 euros per month…

Places of interestThe City Park

The Memorial Museum

San Felice in Pincis Church

The City ParkThe public gardens are among the largest ones in South Italy

(67,000 square metres) .In the past the area has been used as a sort of dumping. After four years’work it has been transformed into public gardens

where several events take place., like the Jazz Festival.The area provides lawns, gardens, walking and exercise routes, a

playground, benches and a stand.In 2005 it has been named after the Pope Giovanni Paolo II .

The Memorial Museum

The Memorial Museum is located in Piazza Mercato, in the historical centre of

Pomigliano d’Arco.It was an air-raid shelter used by the population during the II World War . Pomigliano was the site of a military

airport and base, so it was bombarded . Many people died during the bombings , many of them in a sports field during a

football match in May 1943.After the war many shelters were used

as wine cellars or destroyed for new buildings.

It is the first museum of this kind in Southern Italy .It extends on a surface of

600 square metres and is placed at a depth of 4,20 metres. The shelter itself is

used for the exhibition of war objects and finds; the area of the hallow is used for educational activities and as museum

office.

San Felice in Pincis Church

In the past the Church was located in the “Spedale” area, where the

first unit of inhabitants of the village lived .Over the centuries the

church was not used anymore. It was then restored with a nave

and two aisles , connecting the side chapels.

Many paintings and frescoes by the Neapolitan School of Art are in the church. The altar is made of polychrom marble and behind it

there is a beautiful painting portraying Saint Felice . The

painting dates back to the XVIII century.

Graphic elaboration by WikiPedia Italy

Inhabitants census

Disclaimer

• This project has been funded with support from the European Commission as a Comenius School Partnership.

• This publication reflects the views only of the author and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.