Avellino and Irpinia - In Campania

More documents

Recommendations

Info

The green heart of Campania famous travellers All the eras were lived out in this region: the ancient Cimmerians with their moonlit funeral rites; the Oscans and the Etruscans with their vaults, the Calcidians, the Sibarites with their soft humanity, and finally the Romans, masters of nature, the fabulous Moors and the Norman horsemen. Victor Hehn, 1884 154 Irpinia includes the Partenio Park and the Monti Picentini Park, the grotto of Caliendo, the Valle della Caccia Oasis at Senerchia, the lakes of Conza and Laceno... The massif of the Partenio, northwest of Avellino, is part of the Partenio Regional Naturel Park: mountains, highplains and woods, where mushrooms, berries and medicinal plants grow. There are numerous accomodations available in the Park: hotels, pensions, agritourisms and bed & breakfasts. At the border of the park towards Benevento, at San Martino in Valle Caudina, there is a fine example of the Irpinian cultural heritage: the Pignatellis’ Leonessa Castle. To the southeast, in the large Monti Picentini Regional Park (shared by the provinces of Avellino and Salerno) there are summits covered with beechtree woods, deep valleys and gorges with rivers and waterfalls (the Calore, Sele, Sarno and Ofanto rivers are born here), corners of pristine nature and rare bird species. The possibility of hikes is endless, and a nice walk to lake of Laceno on the highplain that goes by the same name is very popular (in winter it becomes a welcoming ski resort). The eastern part of Irpinia is characterized by pristine nature, rivers and beautiful views: the Campo di Summonte, Sportiglioni grotto and the Acquafredda stream are examples of interesting trails one can take. Historical and archaeological interesting remains can be found in Avella. The city coincides with the ancient Abella, where was found the Cippus Abellanus (2 nd century BC), an important document carved in stone in the obscure Oscan language, kept in the Archaeological Museum in Nola. Among the most important monuments are the remains, well preserved, of the Roman Amphitheatre dating to the late Republican era. The fortified medieval Castle, of which ruins can be seen, was one of the largest in Southern Italy. The San Michele Grotto, with Byzantine frescoes, is also interesting. Lauro, famous for its prized hazelnuts, is also known for the imposing Lancellotti Castle, founded in 1300 in a beautiful panoramic position, then destroyed and rebuilt in the 1800’s in a variety of different styles. 155 a green paradise Irpinia is an authentic paradise for sports lovers and those passionate about the outdoor lifestyle. Every season offers the visitor any number of a wide range of outdoor activities: hiking, walking, trekking, horseback riding and skiing, the possibility of staying in lovely places like Volturara Irpina, Bagnoli Irpino (with its splendid Laceno highplains) and Campolaspierto, all equipped with modern skilifts and hotels. The Laceno Highplains The Lancellotti Castle in Lauro The Roman amphitheatre of Avella
From the Sabato river to the Ufita river famous travellers Maria d’Avalos had such hair, that deserved no less gold than crown. She was all ringslets, so the murdered was justified if his life remained forever prisoner of death. Court Chronicler Corona, 1590 156 A fun alternative to the classic tourist itineraries is following the course of the rivers. The Sabato river is born in the Picentini mountains just south of Avellino. The first town you come across is Serino: it is from here that the acqueduct that supplies Naples and other cities starts. The city is also the starting point of excursions to the Monte Terminio highlands (1,300mt) and into the Monti Picentini Park, which also has ski-lifts and hotels during the winter months. A detour to visit Solofra is a must: set in a beautiful landscape of mountains it has treasures such as the Collegiate of San Michele Church, with paintings from the 1550’s and 1600’s (the most famous by Francesco Guarino) and the majestic Palazzo Ducale, seat of local government. The city is considered capital of leatherware in Campania. Atripalda, on the shores of the Sabato river, is the archaeological zone of the ancient Abellinum. One can visit the excavations in the area of Civita, with the remains of walls, towers and a Roman house, with a garden, a pool and frescoed rooms. The building of the Dogana dei grani is a good example of industrial archaeology, a container and a museum that hosts relics from the churches either destroyed or closed by the 1980 earthquake, and temporary exhibits. In Prata di Principato Ultra, sitting on an outcrop that dominates the course of the river, is one of the oldest monuments of Irpinia, the Basilica dell’Annunziata. It still retains some paleo-christian structurs of the 6 th century, and catacombs dating back to the 3 rd -4 th centuries AD, with altars, tombs and frescoes: the one depicting the Annunciation is particularly interesting. Montefusco is the Felsulae recalled by Titus Livius. The Great Criminal Court of the Bourbons was held in its castle, and has been nick-named the “Irpinian Spielberg”, because many patriotic fighters in the Italian Risorgimento were imprisoned there. Mirabella Eclano sits where there was once an important Samnite city, later conquered by the Romans. At the pass of Mirabella are the excavations of Aeclanum that have brought to light important remains of the Roman city, among which the public baths, the marketplace, houses, shops and net-like walls. Many of the relics are on exhibit at the Irpino Museum of Avellino. In the centre of Mirabella is the church of Santa Maria Maggiore (end 1800’s) which preserves a priceless wooden crucifix of the 1200’s, one of the best examples of Romanesque sculpture in Southern Italy. The wide Ufita valley, to the north, is an area rich in history and tradition, where green hills and tiny villages alternate seemingly without end. In picturesque Ariano Irpino are the imposing remains of the Norman era castle and a lovely cathedral. A gorgeous view of the Ufita and Mescano valleys can be enjoyed from here, with the Taburno, Partenio and Matese mountains on the horizon. Pratically all of the area, with its villages nestled on hilltops, is rich in castles: the most famous and best preserved is the massive one that dominates the village of Gesualdo, where in the 1500’s the famous musician and prince Carlo Gesualdo composed many of his works; and that of Zungoli, in an enchanting ancient hamlet. For a relaxing vacation of wellness one can visit the Ancient Spas of San Teodoro, not far from Villamaina in the town of Bagni di San Teodoro. 157 in honour of the wheat: the festival of the straw cart “The Festival of the Straw Cart” is held every year on the third Saturday of September in Mirabella Eclano. A straw pyramid 25 meters high, covered by ears of wheat and topped by the statue of the Grieving Virgin, is carried to the centre of town on a cart pulled by six bulls. The obelisque is held in place by the locals with tightly pulled ropes. Gesualdo da Venosa, prince of the madrigalists The greatest italian madrigalist has also gone down in history for other reasons: in 1590, upon surprising his beautiful wife Maria d’Avalos with her lover in his Neapolitan palace in Piazza San Domenico Maggiore, he killed them both. To escape the revenge of the families of the murdered, he took refuge in his castle at Gesualdo, where he dedicated the last years of his life to sacred music. In the Capuchin convent of Gesualdo, a painting by Giovanni Balducci (1609) shows the prince on his knees, accompanied by his uncle Carlo Borromeo (later to become a Saint) as he begs forgiveness for the double murder. Facing the prince is his second wife, Eleonora d’Este. The convent of San Francesco in Montella Basilica of the Annunziata in Prata di Principato Ultra
Page 1 and 2: Avellino and Irpinia 148 149 A mant
Page 3: Avellino, Mercogliano and the Sanct
Page 7: Printed in Italy © copyright 2008

Avellino and Irpinia - In Campania

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?