THE CODICE FATTOROSI

The Codice Fattorosi is probably the oldest written summary of the history of Lettere and its religious institutions. Authored by Paolo Fattorosi in the 17^th century, it summarizes the oral history of Lettere beginning in the 13^th century that was passed down through several generations of the Fattorosi Family, one of Lettere’s earliest noble families. Pietro Fattorosi first entered Lettere as early as 1146 A.D. as noted in a land grant charter witnessed and signed by him – dated from the same year.  

The Codice Fattorosi chronicles the origins of Lettere as well the history of some of its oldest churches and religious institutions such as San Michele Arcangelo in the Orsano, founded by the Fattorosi Family in the 13^th century. It also discusses the reign of several of Lettere’s counts and dukes, as well as how finally in the 16^th century, four of Lettere’s noble families joined together and purchased the entire town from the reigning duke and evicted him from his lands, forever freeing Lettere from the rule of dukes and counts. 

In addition to the Codice Fattorosi, Paolo Fattorosi’s records include 14 volumes of land grants preserving the sales of various parcels of land in Lettere and the surrounding towns. Paolo was a Notario and was responsible for recording transfer of property of the Letteresi. His notary records can still be found in the Archivio di Stato di Napoli.