Casoli, the place of memory

Casoli is a village located in Abruzzo, in the province of Chieti; located at 378 meters above sea level, it has 5,500 inhabitants. It is sadly renowned as a place of remembrance. It was in fact the site of a concentration camp. The places where to set up the concentration camps were not chosen randomly, they had to respect precise characteristics: isolated positions, mountainous places, low population density. Casoli and Abruzzo in general were ideal places to set up as many concentration camps as possible. 15 out of the 48 surveyed. In July 1940 Casoli was chosen to set up a fascist concentration camp for Jews, foreigners and civilian internees in three local buildings. In May 1942 the Jews were transferred to Salerno to make room for foreign internees. Today a plaque has been placed in the town square with all the names of the 218 inmates and given the name of piazza della memoria. Fortunately Casoli is not only a land of tragedy, but is also known for its excellent oil and for its castle that dominates the streets of the village from above. Artists and poets have loved this town in Abruzzo, a name for everyone. Gabriele D'Annunzio.