Morlupo, Italy is the town our ancestors called home. The first Camponeschis arrived at Morlupo around 1500, but we aren't certain where they originally came from. Morlupo is located in a hilly area where typical Mediterranean forests grow. Its closest large city is Rome. Our Grandfather's sailed from Rome to come to America.
A legend says that its name comes from the life style of the local old inhabitants of more than 2000 years ago. In fact they lived just hunting animals. In Latin “MORE LUPI” means “AS WOLFS”, so it seems that the name “Morlupo” comes from this Latin phrase.
The wolf was also the emblem of the City of Rome (also now!) so, during the Roman Domination, when Morlupo became a Roman Colony, a Roman Soldiers' Legion was located in Morlupo to stand guard over the north to protect Rome.
This Legion was named “Legione Martia” (Mars Legion, devoted to Mars, God of War) and its emblem was a wolf with a rooster in its mouth, to remember the Roman Victory over the Gauls (currently the French). Its saying was “MARTIS RAPACES LUPI” (in Latin it means: “The Predatory Wolves of Mars”). Still now the Morlupo Coat of Arms is “THE WOLF WITH A ROOSTER IN ITS MOUTH”.
Using old topographical maps they are now discovering many wonderful old paths, water springs, ruins of old roman houses, and so on. It’s a very exciting to live in a place with such old history! Morlupo, as a village, existed before the Roman Domination!!
Watch Video of Morlupo (click)
The video is a telecast of the town of Morlupo, Italy. It was produced by an Italian TV broadcasting station.
Unfortunately it’s in Italian, but the summary below will help you navigate. In this video you will see the country of our grandfathers' as it is today.
In summary, the telecast presents:
• Morlupo’s history from Roman times - a description of the natural areas around the country
• A visit in a Cultural and Music Center
• An interview with the Mayor of the Country
• The Church of San Giovanni Battista
• The Church of Santa Maria al Borgo (where many of our old ancestors are buried)
• The Borghese Palace
• Craft activities in the country and in particular the production of the “famous” sausages of
Morlupo. Also shows the production of local wine, olive oil and honey.
Finally, from the minute 35.29 until 35.32 you can see uncle Francesco Camponeschi flashed during a cards play with other old men of the country !!
Watch Video of Morlupo at Christmas (click)
