Nocera dei Pagani

In the Middle Ages (around the 9th century) a small colony of Saracens was actually introduced in the annexed territory of nowadays Pagani by permission of the Dukes of Naples; according to most sources, it lasted only a few decades, but other sources state that a second colony of Muslim Saracens was later introduced by Frederick II.[2] The town was described as "a genuine Muhammadan town with all its characteristic mosques and minarets."[3] It is said that, through their darker complexion and features, the townsfolk maintain the heritage of these Muslim settlers.[4]

After the mid-9th century the town was part of the principality of Salerno first, and then of the principality of Capua.

The House of Pagano, an ancient noble family of local lords living in the castle of Cortimpiano (Latin: Curtis in Plano), in the territory of Pagani, apparently took this surname from the Saracen pagans who previously inhabited the area. A family member named Ugo dei Pagani is credited as crusader knight and founder of the Knights Templar. Reference to Nocera as his birthplace is found at least as early as Baedeker's Southern Italy (1869)[5] and is also found in the Old Catholic Encyclopedia.[6] Two more recent writers say that the theory is supported by a letter that Hugues wrote from Palestine in 1103, in which he talked of writing to "my father in Nocera" to tell him of the death of his cousin Alessandro.[7][8]

The citadel of Nuceria, located where the future Nocera Inferiore would rise, was besieged by Roger II of Sicily in the battle in 1132, after four months he razed the town to the ground. After its reconstruction, the birth of the modern Nocera began with many hamlets and villages which gradually expanded and became small towns.

During the Angevin dominion (1266–1435) Nocera was rebuilt and took the name of Nuceria Christianorum. In 1385 Pope Urban VI was besieged in the city castle by Charles III of Naples.

In the XV century the town name was changed to Nuceria Paganorum (Italian: Nocera dei Pagani) in honor to the Pagano family, itself named after the Saracen pagans who previously inhabited the area.

Throughout the Spanish domination Nocera was divided into five municipalities: Nocera Soprana, Nocera Sottana, Barbazzano, Pagani and Sant'Egidio, each one with its own mayor. Toward the end of the 16th century the town was then divided into seven municipalities:

• Nocera Corpo, including the current Nocera Superiore and Nocera Inferiore districts of Piedimonte, Pietraccetta and Borgo;
• Nocera San Matteo, including the current Nocera Inferiore districts of Merichi and Liporto;
• Nocera Tre Casali, including the current Nocera Inferiore districts of Capo Casale, Casale Nuovo and Casale del Pozzo;
• Barbazzano;
• Pagani;
• Sant'Egidio;
• Corbara.

The town survived until 1806. In 1807 comuni were established: Sant'Egidio and Corbara stayed autonomous, and Barbazzano was merged into Pagani, while Nocera San Matteo and Nocera Tre Casali merged to form the current Nocera Inferiore, initially joined by Nocera Corpo, but in 1828 the fourteen districts of Nocera Corpo asked for self-administration which was granted by decree № 1960 on 11 November 1850, with effect from 1 January 1851; thus was born the current Nocera Superiore.