Giulio Prudenzio of Alvito, nephew of Mario Equicola and courtier first to Federico Gonzaga and later to Vittoria Colonna, retired to Alvito in his old age and, as the first among the few educated men of his region, decided to write a «A description of Alvito and its district, drawn partly from what has been found, partly from what has been seen, and partly from what has been heard». At that time, the Alvitano countryside comprised Atina, Picinisco, San Donato, Gallinaro, Vicalvi, Campoli, Posta, Belmonte and Settefrati, the latter of which, «as registered in the land registry», counted «fochi 123».
Prudenzio’s account, which forms part of a historical collection of memoirs from Comino, is held by the distinguished Visocchi family of Atina, who, with enlightened and exceptional generosity, allowed the eminent Prof. D. Santoro to publish it in 1908. Here is the passage concerning Settefrati and the Sanctuary of Canneto.
«The reason Settefrati is so named after the seven brothers who are now saints is that, according to the legend, they were born in Monticello de Fundi to honourable and noble parents, and she remained a widow, and very wealthy, especially in livestock, so much so that the animals could not be fed there; she ordered them to go about the surrounding area to find some village more suited to this purpose, so that, being most obedient, they arrived in the Cominio, and chose the place where Settefrati now stands, which they built, and lived very well with their wealth and livestock. Then, as the Christians were being persecuted, and at the same time being thrown into harsh imprisonment, constantly admonished and exhorted by their mother to let their flesh be burned and die rather than abandon the true and infallible faith of Christ, steadfast and resolved to do so with an undaunted spirit, they earned the glory of Paradise.
It is situated higher up than the rest of the Contato region, and the Castle of Alvito lies below it, as has been observed with great care by Abbot Tamurro of Alvito, an expert in all matters. It boasts a beautiful view and people of distinction, as virtuous as one could wish for, namely: them Scripani, who came from Casa Pozara; them by Antoni by Buccio; them de lacovo de Cicco; them de Cardelis, from where the distinguished master Gentile came; there Musi, descended from the Muses and not the Musci, and other highly respectable and most honourable families.
It has doctors of law and medicine, notaries and other learned men, all of whom are striving to distinguish themselves through virtue.
The clergy are extremely honest, of good repute and set a fine example; the churches are well looked after, well attended and kept in the best possible order, given the circumstances of the area.
The mountains are very fine, with water in great abundance, and the Melfe springeth from them; when it emerges from beneath a rock, it carries with it some golden sand, (1) showing that the water flows through a vein of gold.
(1) The common folk, not those of Settefrati, believe that during the five days of the feast of Santa Maria di Canneto alone, the waters of the Melfa are studded with golden sparkles; in fact, the phenomenon is a constant one. Mella, writing in 1586, says on this subject: «Melphis water… flows from a place rich in gold, as evidenced by the small flecks of gold that appear in the liquid and which it carries along with it as it flows». These tiny fragments, glinting in the sun, are not so much gold as iron mixed with manganese, of which there are many veins deep within the Settefrati mountains, as demonstrated by tests carried out at various times by industrial companies intending to reactivate the Melfa Valley Ironworks, founded by Ferdinand II and abandoned following the fall of the Bourbon government.
There is a church known as Santa Maria di Candito (now Canneto), well-built and with spacious rooms: it is a place well-suited to solitude for a hermit. It is visited often and devoutly by the local people, and there are many holy relics there, including a small piece of wood from the Most Holy Cross, where our Redeemer was nailed and died for us.
Within its territory lies Santa Croce, a benefice of the Order of St John, which is highly esteemed and much sought after for being a worthy office with a very good income.
There is the Magione, a most pleasant spot held in high regard by the former lords of the Cantelmi family, for a large number of chickens were kept there.
The country is more mountainous than flat; yet they gather enough food and drink for themselves and to entertain their friends.
People are generally robust; nor do they age much; they are upright and prudent, and their company is highly desirable for their integrity, generosity and natural kindness, and they are getting by quite well, considering how bleak the times are.
A small stream rises in their valley; they call it the’Holy water; and indeed it seems to be the case, for from all over the county and beyond, when little children become listless, pale and lose their appetite, they are brought here to be bathed: and it is truly marvellous that within a few days they are seen to be robust and rosy-cheeked, with a natural appetite. I can swear that I have tried this on one of my own daughters and have heard of its miracles from many others.».
From the book “Settefrati and the Sanctuary of Canneto in Legend and History” (1910) by Achille Lauri