Goosy Goosy Gander

Why does a small hilltop village in southern Italy remind of 17th century London? It's difficult to say exactly.
Maybe you just have to visit  the village and see for yourself!

Formicola, is in the province of Caserta, about 45 km (28 miles) north of Naples and about 20 km (12 miles) north west of  the town of Caserta. Its name derives from the Hebrew 'Fhor Michol'-
'boiling stream' because of the hot springs in the area.
It has about 1,500 inhabitants so in size it's a lot smaller than the capital in 1600 with its 250,000 inhabitants. In character, though, it does bear some similarity. Founded in the 9th century, it still contains many Medieval buildings; such as the Santa Cristina church of the 11th century and the palazzo Carafa, the former home of Duke Diomede I Carafa, dating from 1407. It also still celebrates a number of traditional festivals such as the cherry festival, Festa della ciliegia, every June.

In the popular nursery rhyme about 17th century London, 'Goosy Gander' the geese represent the 'ladies of the night' who wandered about the city plying their trade to gain their daily bread. At the time they would have visited the popular inns and taverns like 'the Anchor' and 'Ye Old Cheshire Cheese'. If you've ever been on an historic walk through the older parts of London, through the narrow, darkened cobbled streets you can how easy it is to hide.

Formicola  also provides just as many hiding places.  Its full of abandoned houses. ruined outbuildings. crumbling barns, deserted gardens, thorn- covered ravines. And I should know I've searched them all!

If you'd fallen on hard times and were in need of sustenance in modern day Formicola where would you wander to? Perhaps to one of the village's many vineyards? Or the big cherry orchard at the entrance to the town? Or one of the three bars in the village square?

 One is open at 6am and serves fantastic hot cornetti (croissants) alla marmellata. After wandering about half the  night -believe me!- you'll appreciate it! But where would you go if you couldn't speak Italian, were really frightened- and not even human? A cat, in fact. Mmmm...... Well.... I've spent  three unsuccessful months trying to answer that same question.Any yet the answer was obvious to any intelligent animal: a good restaurant. Its called Valentino, via Coso (81040 Formicola) If we compare the menu to that of its 17th century counterpart we do notice a number of notable differences.
I know which I'd prefer. As for my cat, Boris, then I'm just guessing!
But all I can say is that it was with great difficulty that he was removed from his lodging house!

All this proves the well-known aphorism, I suppose, about following your nose to find the answer. I look forward to celebrating the return of my familiar friend in this restaurant. Meanwhile my sincerest thanks go out to its patrons and to Rosalba. She has rescued many animals and if you are able to donate to her cause the details are- https://www.facebook.com/auriliorosalba.
Alternatively if want to visit this sleepy Italian
village check out these properties- http://www.giardinoaurilio.it