During the I A.D. century, the roman colony still kept its splendour and it was always desired for the mildness of its climate, for its healthy termal baths and for the realization of Domiziana road that, going from Sinuessa to Pozzuoli, was very comfortable in connecting the two ports. Its decline started because of the agricultural crisis that damaged not only Sinuessa, but many other places.

It was so that in the V A.D. century, Sinuessa disappeared from the sources, too. The abandonment of the countries, the transformation in forests and fenlands of the fertile lands, the barbaric raids of the Vandals and the Saracens finished the deterioration of the zone that already started to suffer some consequences of the bradyseism that subsequently will submerge the ancient Sinuessanus habitat.

All that forced the inhabitants to move to the surrounding rises of the one that had been the flourishing Roman colony.  The inhabitants settled in the surroundings of Petrino Mount and founded a little urban agglomeration all around Montis dragonis rock of which the Longobards were owners from 840 to 1058 as it was a very strategic and impregnable place.

Then the fortress  became property of the Normans under Ricard II and from his wife name , Rocca, daughter of Dragone, the denomination of Montis Dragonis rock originated, even if the legend ascribes it to a dragon that roamed around the zone terrorizing the inhabitants. After the Normans, there were the Swabians; it’s in this period that began the urban agglomeration and  convents and monasteries spread out especially upon mountains.

After the Swabians, there were the Aragoneses and the territory passed from the Marzanos to Carafas and finally to Grillos. Of this period, we have got the ducal  tower added to the Baronial Palace that the Grillos enlarged to emulate the royal Palace of Caserta, without finishing the work. After the short period of French rulers, the territory became property of the Bourbons with Ferdinand IV until 1861, when the kingdom of Italy was proclaimed.

Today Mondragone, proud of its ancient history, distinguishes  for its industriousness, its rich agricultural production, its prestigious wine, its delightful mozzarella of buffalos, that were brought here by the enterprising Longobard Agilulf. But, above all, Mondragone distinguishes for its undeniable and friendly atmosphere of a seaside town which attracts thousands of tourists every year.

THE HISTORY OF PRODIGIOSA

The territory, meanwhile, had risen by Marzano, Dukes of Sessa, Antonio Carafa of Stigliano, advisor of King Ferrante in 1461 was raised to the Duchy.

On the death of Nicola Caraf Gusman, the Prince of Stigliano, the feud was put up for sale and purchased, in 1691, the Marquis de Clarafuentes, Don Marcantonio Grillo, for the sum of about 550,000 ducats.

The nephew of them, Don Domenico Grillo, was the last duke of Mondragone until 1806, years when it was abolished feudalità.

Il Duke dwelt habitually in Naples, in the Court, but from time to time came to Mondragone, where he was staying; in the Palazzo Ducale, still existing in Piazza S. Angel.

After the French domination of the Kingdom of Naples (1815), Mondragone passed into the hands of the Bourbons and remained there until the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy.

During this period began the works of land reclamation, infested by malaria, which were later supplemented in the thirties with the construction of Mazzafarro.

Molte works dell'Idrovaro enhancements were made during the last two centuries, all important for life of the city itself, but what has most contributed to changing the face was the construction (1933) of Viale Marechiaro that led to a significant expansion towards the sea and an economic development and socio-cultural context.

From March 28, 1989, by decree of President of the Republic, was granted to the town of Mondragone the title City and, subsequently, an emblem and a banner described as follows:

Description of Heraldry Emblem:

Blasonatura del Gonfalone:

• drappo party yellow and red richly decorated with gold embroidery and loaded the emblem above with the inclusion centered in gold, bearing the name of the city. The shares of metal and cordons will be golden. The vertical shaft is covered with velvet color of drappo, alternating with bullette posed golden spiral. The arrow will be the emblem of the city and stem engraved on the name. Tie with colored ribbons tricolorati national frangiati gold.

HONOURS