Irpinia

<< Campania

Irpinia is a historical region that mostly corresponds to the modern Province of Avellino. The territory, which is mostly mountainous, was once inhabited by a Samnite tribe known as Hirpini, before it was conquered by the Romans. Now it is known for its natural environment, food and wine tradition, and various historic sites.

Avellino

Avellino is a city located in a valley among the Apennines of Campania. Once inhabited by the Hirpini, it became a Roman city. In the Middle Ages it was part of the Duchy of Benevento, and was later ruled by the Kingdom of Sicily. The town has always remained one of the main centers in Irpinia, and now it features a few historic landmarks.

Avellino Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta)

The Avellino Cathedral (Duomo di Avellino) is the main religious site in the city. Originally built in Romanesque style during the 12th century, it was later reworked with Baroque and Neoclassical additions. The church houses numerous Baroque artworks and decorations, and a Romanesque crypt.

Irpinia Museum

The Irpinia Museum (Museo Irpino) is a museum of local history in Avellino. It houses a rich collection of archaeological findings from Irpinia, as well as various artworks and exhibitions on local history. Most of the sections of the museum are hosted inside the former Bourbon Prison (Carcere Borbonico), built in the 19th century.

Avellino Art Museum

The Avellino Art Museum (Museo d’Arte di Avellino) is a museum of modern and contemporary art in Avellino. The museum houses a collection of artworks dating between the 19th century and today, mostly by Italian artists.

Mercogliano

Mercogliano is a town located at the foot of the mountains just west of Avellino. Inhabited since ancient times, it is best known for an important sanctuary located nearby.

✪ Montevergine Sanctuary

The Montevergine Sanctuary (Santuario di Montevergine) is a large religious complex located on a mountain overlooking Mercogliano. The first church here was built in the 12th century, while the modern basilica, erected in Romanesque Revival style, was inaugurated in 1961. During the Late Middle Ages, it was one of the most important religious sites in the region and, during World War II, the Shroud of Turin was hidden here. The sanctuary houses numerous artworks, and it is a popular site of pilgrimage. Thanks to is position, it also offers a great view on the surrounding area.

Avella

Avella is a town located in a valley west of Avellino, at the border with the Metropolitan City of Naples. The town has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and became a Samnite center and then Roman city, but later it declined. Now there are still a few historic attractions in Avella.

Roman Amphitheater of Avella

The Roman Amphitheater (Anfiteatro Romano) is the most important ancient landmark in the town. Large sections of the structure survive today, and the tuff seats are well preserved. The amphitheater was in the process of being expanded when it was abandoned around the age of the dissolution of the Western Roman Empire.

Mirabella Eclano

Mirabella Eclano is a town located among the hills of the Province of Avellino. This was once the site of a Samnite and Roman town called Aeclanum, which was later abandoned. The modern town emerged in the Middle Ages, and was rebuilt after an earthquake in the 18th century.

Archaeological Park of Aeclanum

The Archaeological Park of Aeclanum (Parco Archeologico di Aeclanum) is located just outside Mirabella Eclano and houses the ruins of the ancient Samnite and Roman town of Aeclanum. The park includes the ruins of various structures, including a market and a thermal complex.

Ariano Irpino

Ariano Irpino is a town located among the mountains of Irpinia, in the Province of Avellino. The area around the town was first settled in the Neolithic and was later inhabited by the Samnites and Romans. The modern town emerged in the Middle Ages, and became one of the main centers in the region. Ariano Irpino now features various historic landmarks and museums, and it is famous for the production of majolica.

Ariano Irpino Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta)

The Ariano Irpino Cathedral (Duomo di Ariano Irpino) is a historic Romanesque church erected during the Middle Ages and later reworked a few times. The church was built on the site of an ancient temple, and features a decorated facade and some artworks. In front of the church is a 19th-century staircase. Next to the church is the Museum of Silverware (Museo degli Argenti), which features various artworks and what is said to be a thorn from the crown of Jesus.

City Museum and Ceramics Gallery of Ariano Irpino

The City Museum and Ceramics Gallery of Ariano Irpino (Museo Civico e della Ceramica di Ariano Irpino) is a museum hosting a collection of historic prints and artworks. Its collection includes various archaeological findings and ceramics dating from the Middle Ages until today.

Museum of Norman Civilization

The Museum of Norman Civilization (Museo della Civiltà Normanna) is a museum of local history in Ariano Irpino. The museum is focused on the Middle Ages and especially the history of the Normans, and houses numerous ancient weapons, documents, and other objects.

Bisaccia

Bisaccia is a small town located among the mountains of the Province of Avellino. It has been inhabited since ancient times, and still retains most of its medieval old town.

Ducal Castle of Bisaccia

The Ducal Castle of Bisaccia (Castello Ducale di Bisaccia) is a fortified palace originally erected around the 8th century by the Lombards, and rebuilt in the Late Middle Ages. The palace was for centuries the residence of the local lords, and now it houses an archaeological museum.

Sant’Angelo dei Lombardi

Sant’Angelo dei Lombardi is a town located among the mountains of Irpinia, east of Avellino. The town was founded by the Lombards in the Middle Ages, and later became one of the most important centers in the area. The town was heavily damaged by an earthquake in 1980.

Goleto Abbey

The Goleto Abbey (Abbazia del Goleto) is a historic monastery located near Sant’Angelo dei Lombardi. It was founded in the 12th century and became one of the wealthiest abbeys in the region. Despite flourishing until the 18th century, it was closed and abandoned in 1807, and damaged by an earthquake in 1980. Now partially restored, it features some Romanesque structures and a few ancient decorations.

Conza della Campania

Conza della Campania is a town located among the mountains of Irpinia, at the border with Basilicata. The town was once called Compsa, and was inhabited by the Hirpini and then the Romans. The town was sacked and damaged various times, and was destroyed by an earthquake in 1980. The current town was rebuilt nearby after the earthquake.

Archaeological Park of Compsa

The Archaeological Park of Compsa (Parco Archeologico di Compsa) houses the ruins of the ancient city of Compsa, once inhabited by the Hirpini and the Romans. Here are also the ruins of the town destroyed by an earthquake in 1980. The park houses the ruins of a Roman theater and a medieval cathedral, among various other structures.

Caposele

Caposele is a town in the Province of Avellino, located at the southeastern end of Irpinia. The town is known for hosting the source of the Sele river and a famous sanctuary.

Sanctuary of San Gerardo Maiella

The Sanctuary of San Gerardo Maiella (Santuario di San Gerardo Maiella) is a religious complex located near Caposele. The first church was built here in the Late Middle Ages, and became popular among pilgrims. The current structure was erected in the 20th century in Neoclassical style, and was dedicated to Saint Gerard Majella. The sanctuary is to this day a very popular pilgrimage site.