Candela

The village stands on two hills said of San Rocco and San Tommaso, on the southern sub appennine of Daunia. The origins of candela (Cannéla in the local dialect) remain a mystery. The most ancient testimony concerning its existence dates back to 1066. However according to the version of the most accredited The current suburb rose in the period of the invasions Ostrogote-Longobarde, whose raids, Had forced the population of origin bya to abandon a primitive settlement, located a short distance away, in order to take refuge on the hill.

A large part of the development of the Candela is linked to the historic river Ofanto, which divides the village from the slope lucano and campano and by other streams that cross it in all its natural perimeter. In 1531, the death of Filiberto d'Orange, Charles V, granted the great admiral Andrea Doria the principality of Melfi and the containment of the Candela. Under the almost 277 years that the Doria possessed candela, the village became a real point of reference for the whole surrounding territory. In testimony to its growth were built the Church Mother, the Church of the conception and the Palazzo Doria. Many were also the artisan and coveted was his grain. Historically was remarkable also sheep farming. Here flowed the flocks of transhumance after having crossed the great Pescasseroli-Candela tratturo. But an event significant enough the importance that it assumed the village at the time is the stay on the spot of the known Ciccio d'Andrea, where remained until death.

The urban fabric is composed of a maze of steep and interminable climbs and narrow alleyways. Walking through the streets of the Citadel, not very far from the castle, you arrive in one of the oldest churches of candela, dedicated to Saint Thomas. To access the upper part of the village you pass through some doors and on one of these, the Port of Citadel, you can admire a beautiful mosaic depicting the Candlemas. Just outside the village of candela we find Torre Bianca, a seal is immersed in the green, already feud of Doria-Pamphili, which was bought in the nineteenth century by the family Ripandelli.

Among the typical dishes of the Candela are to remember the r’cch’telle (orecchiette) and rocket salad with tough ricotta cheese, cavatiell' and acc' and the maccarunar' with meat sauce.