Avellino

Nature, art and faith in green Irpinia

In the pristine nature of Irpinia, tranquillity, beauty and itineraries intertwine, between art, faith and nature. The Avellino basin is framed by the Monti Picentini mountains and dotted with castles, abbeys and villages to explore, including the beautiful village of Monteverde. The Serino forests are the perfect backdrop for a picnic. Nature lovers can immerse themselves in the Lake Conza Oasis, explore Caliendo Cave or be enchanted by the Calabritto Waterfalls.

In Avellino, you can admire Piazza della Libertà, with the Bishop’s Palace, and discover the 36-metre-high Clock Tower and the majestic cathedral dedicated to St Mary of the Assumption and St Modestinus. Foodwise, you can enjoy gnocchi, bean and chestnut soup, caciocavallo cheese, stuffed peppers and local wines: Taurasi, Greco di Tufo and Fiano di Avellino.

The heart of religious tourism in the area is the Montevergine Sanctuary, a monastic complex built in 1126 at an altitude of 1,270 metres. It is accessible on foot from Ospedaletto d’Alpinolo or by cable car from Mercogliano. Another splendid monastic complex is the Abbey of San Guglielmo al Goleto in Sant’Angelo dei Lombardi.

Towering over the valleys, the Lombard-built castle of Avella and the Norman Castle of Ariano Irpino offer an insight into the past. The medieval castle of Rocca San Felice is associated with the legend of Margaret of Austria’s ghost, which roams there under a full moon.