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Province of Avellino

Avellino Province

The province of Avellino has a total area of 2,792 square kilometres and it borders the provinces of Benevento to the north, Napoli to the west, Salerno to the south and the region of Puglia to the east. It is located in the centre of southern Italy and has no connection to the sea.

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Avellino Province
Province of Avellino, Campania

As with the rest of the region of Campania the scenery is stunning with green hills, forests, lakes, rivers, waterfalls and mountains all forming a dramatic backdrop. Towns and villages are nestled among the glorious scenery and almost all but the towns of Avellino and Ariano Irpino are small and sparsely populated.

Two mountain ranges run through the province, Monti Picenti and Monti del Partenio run through the province of Avellino with the highest peak being Monte Avella at 1,598 metres. There are three natural parks in the province, the regional park of Partenio, the regional park of the Picenti mountians and the natural park of Vallo Lauro-Pizzo. These parks are paradise for nature lovers with stunning, natural scenery, trekking, horse riding, mountain biking as well as skiing in the winter months. The environment is perfect for wild animals, birds, reptiles and amphibians including the spectacled salamander, the fire salamander and the yellow-bellied toad.

The region of Campania is very fertile and the province of Avellino is well known for growing hazelnuts and is responsible for one third of the whole Italian production. Chestnuts and cherries are also grown here, black truffles can be found and well known red wine Aglianico is produced.

Avellino

The town of Avellino is the capital of the province of Avellino in the Campania region of southern Italy. It is just over 40km northest of Naples and is set on a plain which is surrounded by mountains. It has suffered badly with seismic activity and was also heavily bombed in 1943. The biggest earthquake which struck the area was on 23rd November 1980 when a quake measuring 6.89 on the Richter Scale centred on the nearby village of Conza. Nearly 3,000 people were killed, 10,000 injured and 30,000 were left homeless. Large amounts of money were invested to help the displaced people and for the infrastructure of the area and also for economic expansion which eventually resulted in Avellino being wealthier than before.

Avellino is now a prosperous and pleasant place to live and very popular with expats from both Great Britain and the United States of America.

Agriculture was originally the main source of income, especially the production of hazelnuts which is still an important and thriving industry. Since the 1980 earthquake the economy has steadily grown, especially in the manufacturing sector where many small businesses have been set up creating a welcome rise in employment.

In spite of all the destruction suffered by the town it has managed to maintain its original historic village atmosphere and the narrow streets lead to pleasant squares full of bars, restaurants and interesting buildings.

  • The cathedral of Avellino has been rebuilt many times over the centuries. It has a Romanesque crypt and was built on the site of an affluent Roman villa from 129 BC.
  • The church of Santa Maria delle Grazia and the Capuchin monastery were both built in 1580.
  • In Piazza Amendola you can find the baroque Clock Tower which is 36 metres high and was built in the late 17th century.
  • The 17th century Fountain of Bellerophon is in Corso Umberto.

In Piazza Castello there are a few remains of a Lombard castle which was oddly built at the lowest level of the valley. European historians have not, as yet, managed to figure out why this was or what tactical advantage it could have once had.

There are some remains of the Lombard castle in Piazza Castello (Castle Square). Because the castle was built at the base of a small valley, its tactical purpose continues to puzzle modern-day historians throughout Europe.

Ariano Irpino

Situated in the centre of the land Ariano Irpino is almost exactly halfway between the Adriatic Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea at 817 metres above sea level. The land in and around this pretty town is very fertile but due to several devasting earthquakes no buildings of any importance remain. Ariano Irpino is famous for its production of the tin-glazed pottery known as majolica. The first examples of it date back as far as the 13th century. The industry continues to thrive with more and more being produced each year. The pottery is fine with quite complicated shapes and intricate decoration.

Avella

The remains of the old town of Avella can still be seen on a hill above the new, modern town. Within the old town it is possible, among the ruins, to see traces of several important buildings, including and amphitheatre and a temple. Near to the town is a good example of a Karst cave called Grotto of the Camerelle di Pianura.

Calitri

Calitri is in the south of the region of Avellino close to the borders of the regions of both Puglia and Basilicata. The old historic centre is called 'Antico Borgo' and at the highest point there are the remains of an early 12th century. The Antico BorgoBorgo itself is a labyrinth of historic houses which have, over the centuries, been built into the hillside. The tiny streets are all interconnected by steps, made of either stone or marble, many of which pass under old stone arches. Again, as with all other villages and towns in this province, Calitri suffered badly under the 1980 earthquake and is still only partially rebuilt. During the renovations alarge, underground, domed ice house has been discovered and is currently being refurbished.

Gesualdo

Gesualdo is commonly known as 'The City of the Prince of Musicians' in honour of Carlo Gesualdo who was the Prince of Venosa, a composer and a musician. The old medieval centre which was completely destroyed during the earthquake and then left abandoned for many years has been fully restored and is quite beautiful. The many buildings are connected by pretty streets and squares with fountains creating an atmosphere of peace and warmth.

Main points of interest:

  • The Castello di Gesualdo was built by the Lombards in the 7th century and then enlarged by Carlo Gesualdo in the 16th century.
  • The Chiesa Madre di San Nicola is a 12th century church, agian enlarged in the early 17th century before being rebuilt in the baroque style in the 18th century.
  • The Chiesa del Santissimo Sacramento is an 18th century church with a unique architectural strucure and commonly knows as 'Cappellone' which means 'Great Church'.
  • The Chiesa di Maria Santissima Addolorata was built in the 17th century, enlarged in the 19th century and inside has an 18th century pipe organ sitting on the balcony over the front door.
  • The Convento Cappuccino di Santa Maria delle Grazie is a Capuchin Friary, founded in the 16th century. Padre Pio was there in the 1909 as a young theology student.

Rocca San Felice

Here there is an old town and a castle as well as the Church of St. Maria Maggiore, the Chapel of Mary of Constantinople and the Sanctuary of Santa Felicita. Just outside the town is the archaelogical site 'Vall d'Ansanto' with its small sulphurous lake which literally 'boils, due to the gas emissions coming from the subsoil.

Solofra

This small village was completely destroyed in the 1980 earthquake and was never rebuilt but left abandoned and a new village was built nearby. Solofra is famous for the tanning of leather and the trade has continued and there are now over 200 tanneries in the area. The quality of the leather is so good that it is considered by many to be the best in Italy.

Teora

Lying in the south of the province of Avellino right on the border of the region of Basilicata, Teora is another small village which suffered badly in the 1980 earthquake. In spite of the destruction caused it has been rebuilt and renovated and there are some surprising buildings to be found here. As well as some unusual architecture there are also some curious traditions which take place in this pretty village.

Buildings of interest:

  • The Corona Flour Mill has been unused for over 50 years. It is located on the edge of the historical centre but its exact age is unknown. Sadly the cental part of the mill was destroyed in the 1980 earthquake and has not, as yet, been renovated.
  • The Fountain of Monte was built in the 12th century and is also known as 'Fountain of the dead men' for reasons unknown.
  • The Fountain of Piano was originally a public washhouse and is divided into three parts by pillars. The water flows from the mouths of five masks and into three baths which rest against the wall.
  • The Stone of the civil weddings is actually a thick slab of rock supported by two stone pillars and is situated in a public square. It is used for the signing of documents for all the civil weddings in the village. There is no documentation stating when or why this tradition began.

Another strange and ancient tradition, again to do with weddings, states that the groom has to serenade his future bride the night before the marriage. The groom, accompanied by local singers, stands under the window of the bride and sings until she responds by turning out her light and coming on to the balcony as a sign of approval. Festivities, singing and dancing then continues in the bride's house for the rest of the evening.

In August every year the whole village takes part in the Festival of Serenades. This requires five local girls to each stand on a balcony decorated with geraniums and to wait for their loved ones while musicians continually play love songs. Eventually the five men appear and climb up a rope to give their prospective ladies a red rose.

On November 11th a large potato pie containing one small coin is baked and eaten. Whoever finds the coin in their portion of pie gains the right to choose the menu for the next big event which is held on November 21st.

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Flag of Campania
Campania flag
  • Regional Information

    • Area: 13,595 km²
      Population: 5.8m
      Density: 426/km²
      Capital: Naples

      National Parks:
      The Cilento National Park
      The Vesuvio National Park
Location of Campania
Location of Campania
Provinces of Campania
Provinces of Campania
  • Comunes of Campania
    • Avelino

      • Aiello del Sabato
        Altavilla Irpina
        Andretta
        Aquilonia
        Ariano Irpino
        Atripalda
        Avella
        Avellino
        Bagnoli Irpino
        Baiano
        Bisaccia
        Bonito
        Cairano
        Calabritto
        Calitri
        Candida
        Caposele
        Capriglia Irpina
        Carife
        Casalbore
        Cassano Irpino
        Castel Baronia
        Castelfranci
        Castelvetere sul Calore
        Cervinara
        Cesinali
        Chianche
        Chiusano di San Domenico
        Contrada
        Conza della Campania
        Domicella
        Flumeri
        Fontanarosa
        Forino
        Frigento
        Gesualdo
        Greci
        Grottaminarda
        Grottolella
        Guardia Lombardi
        Lacedonia
        Lapio
        Lauro
        Lioni
        Luogosano
        Manocalzati
        Marzano di Nola
        Melito Irpino
        Mercogliano
        Mirabella Eclano
        Montaguto
        Montecalvo Irpino
        Montefalcione
        Monteforte Irpino
        Montefredane
        Montefusco
        Montella
        Montemarano
        Montemiletto
        Monteverde
        Montoro Inferiore
        Montoro Superiore
        Morra De Sanctis
        Moschiano
        Mugnano del Cardinale
        Nusco
        Ospedaletto d’Alpinolo
        Pago del Vallo di Lauro
        Parolise
        Paternopoli
        Petruro Irpino
        Pietradefusi
        Pietrastornina
        Prata di Principato Ultra
        Pratola Serra
        Quadrelle
        Quindici
        Rocca San Felice
        Roccabascerana
        Rotondi
        Salza Irpina
        San Mango sul Calore
        San Martino Valle Caudina
        San Michele di Serino
        San Nicola Baronia
        San Potito Ultra
        San Sossio Baronia
        Santa Lucia di Serino
        Santa Paolina
        Sant’Andrea di Conza
        Sant’Angelo a Scala
        Sant’Angelo all’Esca
        Sant’Angelo dei Lombardi
        Santo Stefano del Sole
        Savignano Irpino
        Scampitella
        Senerchia
        Serino
        Sirignano
        Solofra
        Sorbo Serpico
        Sperone
        Sturno
        Summonte
        Taurano
        Taurasi
        Teora
        Torella dei Lombardi
        Torre Le Nocelle
        Torrioni
        Trevico
        Tufo
        Vallata
        Vallesaccarda
        Venticano
        Villamaina
        Villanova del Battista
        Volturara Irpina
        Zungoli
    • Benevento

      • Airola
        Amorosi
        Apice
        Apollosa
        Arpaia
        Arpaise
        Baselice
        Benevento
        Bonea
        Bucciano
        Buonalbergo
        Calvi
        Campolattaro
        Campoli del Monte Taburno
        Casalduni
        Castelfranco in Miscano
        Castelpagano
        Castelpoto
        Castelvenere
        Castelvetere in Val Fortore
        Cautano
        Ceppaloni
        Cerreto Sannita
        Circello
        Colle Sannita
        Cusano Mutri
        Dugenta
        Durazzano
        Faicchio
        Foglianise
        Foiano di Val Fortore
        Forchia
        Fragneto L’Abate
        Fragneto Monforte
        Frasso Telesino
        Ginestra degli Schiavoni
        Guardia Sanframondi
        Limatola
        Melizzano
        Moiano
        Molinara
        Montefalcone di Val Fortore
        Montesarchio
        Morcone
        Paduli
        Pago Veiano
        Pannarano
        Paolisi
        Paupisi
        Pesco Sannita
        Pietraroja
        Pietrelcina
        Ponte
        Pontelandolfo
        Puglianello
        Reino
        San Bartolomeo in Galdo
        San Giorgio del Sannio
        San Giorgio La Molara
        San Leucio del Sannio
        San Lorenzello
        San Lorenzo Maggiore
        San Lupo
        San Marco dei Cavoti
        San Martino Sannita
        San Nazzaro
        San Nicola Manfredi
        San Salvatore Telesino
        Santa Croce del Sannio
        Sant’Agata De’ Goti
        Sant’Angelo a Cupolo
        Sant’Arcangelo Trimonte
        Sassinoro
        Solopaca
        Telese Terme
        Tocco Caudio
        Torrecuso
        Vitulano
    • Caserta

      • Ailano
        Alife
        Alvignano
        Arienzo
        Aversa
        Baia e Latina
        Bellona
        Caianello
        Caiazzo
        Calvi Risorta
        Camigliano
        Cancello ed Arnone
        Capodrise
        Capriati a Volturno
        Capua
        Carinaro
        Carinola
        Casagiove
        Casal di Principe
        Casaluce
        Casapesenna
        Casapulla
        Caserta
        Castel Campagnano
        Castel di Sasso
        Castel Morrone
        Castel Volturno
        Castello del Matese
        Cellole
        Cervino
        Cesa
        Ciorlano
        Conca della Campania
        Curti
        Dragoni
        Falciano del Massico
        Fontegreca
        Formicola
        Francolise
        Frignano
        Gallo Matese
        Galluccio
        Giano Vetusto
        Gioia Sannitica
        Grazzanise
        Gricignano di Aversa
        Letino
        Liberi
        Lusciano
        Macerata Campania
        Maddaloni
        Marcianise
        Marzano Appio
        Mignano Monte Lungo
        Mondragone
        Orta di Atella
        Parete
        Pastorano
        Piana di Monte Verna
        Piedimonte Matese
        Pietramelara
        Pietravairano
        Pignataro Maggiore
        Pontelatone
        Portico di Caserta
        Prata Sannita
        Pratella
        Presenzano
        Raviscanina
        Recale
        Riardo
        Rocca D’Evandro
        Roccamonfina
        Roccaromana
        Rocchetta e Croce
        Ruviano
        San Cipriano d’Aversa
        San Felice a Cancello
        San Gregorio Matese
        San Marcellino
        San Marco Evangelista
        San Nicola la Strada
        San Pietro Infine
        San Potito Sannitico
        San Prisco
        San Tammaro
        Santa Maria a Vico
        Santa Maria Capua Vetere
        Santa Maria La Fossa
        Sant’Angelo d’Alife
        Sant’Arpino
        Sessa Aurunca
        Sparanise
        Succivo
        Teano
        Teverola
        Tora e Piccilli
        Trentola-Ducenta
        Vairano Patenora
        Valle Agricola
        Valle di Maddaloni
        Villa di Briano
        Villa Literno
        Vitulazio
    • Napoli

      • Acerra
        Afragola
        Agerola
        Anacapri
        Arzano
        Bacoli
        Barano d’Ischia
        Boscoreale
        Boscotrecase
        Brusciano
        Caivano
        Calvizzano
        Camposano
        Capri
        Carbonara di Nola
        Cardito
        Casalnuovo di Napoli
        Casamarciano
        Casamicciola Terme
        Casandrino
        Casavatore
        Casola di Napoli
        Casoria
        Castellammare di Stabia
        Castello di Cisterna
        Cercola
        Cicciano
        Cimitile
        Comiziano
        Crispano
        Ercolano
        Forio
        Frattamaggiore
        Frattaminore
        Giugliano in Campania
        Gragnano
        Grumo Nevano
        Ischia
        Lacco Ameno
        Lettere
        Liveri
        Marano di Napoli
        Mariglianella
        Marigliano
        Massa di Somma
        Massa Lubrense
        Melito di Napoli
        Meta
        Monte di Procida
        Mugnano di Napoli
        Napoli
        Nola
        Ottaviano
        Palma Campania
        Piano di Sorrento
        Pimonte
        Poggiomarino
        Pollena Trocchia
        Pomigliano d’Arco
        Pompei
        Portici
        Pozzuoli
        Procida
        Qualiano
        Quarto
        Roccarainola
        San Gennaro Vesuviano
        San Giorgio a Cremano
        San Giuseppe Vesuviano
        San Paolo Bel Sito
        San Sebastiano al Vesuvio
        San Vitaliano
        Santa Maria la Carità
        Sant’Agnello
        Sant’Anastasia
        Sant’Antimo
        Sant’Antonio Abate
        Saviano
        Scisciano
        Serrara Fontana
        Somma Vesuviana
        Sorrento
        Striano
        Terzigno
        Torre Annunziata
        Torre del Greco
        Trecase
        Tufino
        Vico Equense
        Villaricca
        Visciano
        Volla
    • Salerno

      • Acerno
        Agropoli
        Albanella
        Alfano
        Altavilla Silentina
        Amalfi
        Angri
        Aquara
        Ascea
        Atena Lucana
        Atrani
        Auletta
        Baronissi
        Battipaglia
        Bellizzi
        Bellosguardo
        Bracigliano
        Buccino
        Buonabitacolo
        Caggiano
        Calvanico
        Camerota
        Campagna
        Campora
        Cannalonga
        Capaccio
        Casal Velino
        Casalbuono
        Casaletto Spartano
        Caselle in Pittari
        Castel San Giorgio
        Castel San Lorenzo
        Castelcivita
        Castellabate
        Castelnuovo Cilento
        Castelnuovo di Conza
        Castiglione del Genovesi
        Cava de’ Tirreni
        Celle di Bulgheria
        Centola
        Ceraso
        Cetara
        Cicerale
        Colliano
        Conca dei Marini
        Controne
        Contursi Terme
        Corbara
        Corleto Monforte
        Cuccaro Vetere
        Eboli
        Felitto
        Fisciano
        Furore
        Futani
        Giffoni Sei Casali
        Giffoni Valle Piana
        Gioi
        Giungano
        Ispani
        Laureana Cilento
        Laurino
        Laurito
        Laviano
        Lustra
        Magliano Vetere
        Maiori
        Mercato San Severino
        Minori
        Moio della Civitella
        Montano Antilia
        Monte San Giacomo
        Montecorice
        Montecorvino Pugliano
        Montecorvino Rovella
        Monteforte Cilento
        Montesano sulla Marcellana
        Morigerati
        Nocera Inferiore
        Nocera Superiore
        Novi Velia
        Ogliastro Cilento
        Olevano sul Tusciano
        Oliveto Citra
        Omignano
        Orria
        Ottati
        Padula
        Pagani
        Palomonte
        Pellezzano
        Perdifumo
        Perito
        Pertosa
        Petina
        Piaggine
        Pisciotta
        Polla
        Pollica
        Pontecagnano Faiano
        Positano
        Postiglione
        Praiano
        Prignano Cilento
        Ravello
        Ricigliano
        Roccadaspide
        Roccagloriosa
        Roccapiemonte
        Rofrano
        Romagnano al Monte
        Roscigno
        Rutino
        Sacco
        Sala Consilina
        Salento
        Salerno
        Salvitelle
        San Cipriano Picentino
        San Giovanni a Piro
        San Gregorio Magno
        San Mango Piemonte
        San Marzano sul Sarno
        San Mauro Cilento
        San Mauro La Bruca
        San Pietro al Tanagro
        San Rufo
        San Valentino Torio
        Santa Marina
        Sant’Angelo a Fasanella
        Sant’Arsenio
        Sant’Egidio del Monte Albino
        Santomenna
        Sanza
        Sapri
        Sarno
        Sassano
        Scafati
        Scala
        Serramezzana
        Serre
        Sessa Cilento
        Siano
        Sicignano degli Alburni
        Stella Cilento
        Stio
        Teggiano
        Torchiara
        Torraca
        Torre Orsaia
        Tortorella
        Tramonti
        Trentinara
        Valle dell’Angelo
        Vallo della Lucania
        Valva
        Vibonati
        Vietri sul Mare
Hotels in Campania
Campania hotels
CampaniaWEATHER
Campania Climate (Naples)
  High Low Sun Rain
Jan 15 8 4 63
Feb 15 8 4 52
Mar 17 9 5 43
Apr 19 11 6 31
May 24 15 7 17
Jun 28 18 9 9
Jul 31 22 10 6
Aug 31 22 9 9
Sep 28 19 7 29
Oct 24 16 6 53
Nov 20 12 4 63
Dec 17 10 4 59
Table Key:
High - Average monthly high temperatures
Low - Average monthly low temperatures
Sun - Average hours of sunshine per day
Rain - Average monthly rainfall in mm
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