San Lorenzello, as shown in the paper The Origin of the Cofrancesco Family was the first place where the Cofrancescos were found to be living in the 16th century, and from where they spread into the surrounding towns and villages of the Titerno River Valley, as well as outside of this area.
A legend says that Filippo Lavorgna, who escaped from Telese during one of the many raids of the area by the Saracens, founded San Lorenzello in the 9th century. Actually we find the "the land of San Lorenzello" mentioned for the first time in a document of 1151, when Guglielmo Sanframondo became Count of Cerreto and other territories. The earthquake of 1688 that destroyed Cerreto also heavily damaged San Lorenzello. However many of the San Lorenzello houses were restored and the medieval center of the town was saved and is still visible today.
San Lorenzello
The center of the town with the ancient medieval structure
People of San Lorenzello were mainly peasant farmers and craftsmen. As it happened in Cerreto Sannita, a new pottery industry developed after the earthquake of 1688. Some well-known ceramists were from San Lorenzello, including Nicola Giustiniani, who became very famous for his high quality ceramic creations. This industry is still very active today and there are many workshops in the town producing ceramic objects with the typical traditional shapes and colors for which the San Lorenzello is known.
San Lorenzello
The typical ancient ceramic objects of San Lorenzello
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