Santa Paolina

The Municipality of Santa Paolina is located in the area between the Sabato Valley and the Calore Valley. It's a town with 1,214 inhabitants, located 550 metres above sea level, at 21 km from Avellino. The territory extends for 8.43 sq km and the adjoining municipalities are: Montefusco, Montemiletto, Prata di Principato Ultra, Torrioni and Tufo. The Sabato river runs through it.
The etymology of the name is inspired and reflects the cult of the town’s patron saint. The inhabitants are called Santapaolinari and Saint Paolina is their patron saint.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Church of Santa Paolina e San Felice (Saint Paolina and Saint Felix) - Mother Church of the town, probably built during the 13th century, houses several paintings of the 17th-18th century of the Neapolitan school
Church of the Santissima Addolorata (Our Lady of Sorrows) - Probably built in the early 20th century, thanks to a donation from the community, it contains a statue of the Madonna, very dear to the inhabitants
Historic Centre - Characterised by alleys and short steps that lead to delightful and secluded residences
Other churches - Church of Santi Gennaro e Arcangelo (Saints Januarius and Archangel), Church of the Madonna delle Grazie (Our Lady of Graces)

EVENTS

Feast of Saint Paolina Virgin and Martyr - Religious celebrations in honour of the patron saint, held in July
Handicraft Fair - Event dedicated to local manufacturing, takes place between September and October
The Colours of Hospitality - Event dedicated to the theme of cultural integration, takes place in September
Bewitched by Greco - Food and wine event, held in September
Christmas into... street - Christmas celebrations with markets and tastings of typical products, held in December

TYPICAL FOOD AND PRODUCTS

Greco di Tufo DOCG - Noble wine deriving from an ancient grape variety, of Greek origin, with unparalleled typicality, established all over the world for aromas and flavour
Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Natural product for which the area of Santa Paolina is renowned
Caciocavallo Silano PDO - Semi-hard cheese, with spun curd, produced with milk from different breeds of cows, including Podolica

FUN FACTS

Santa Paolina is known for the tradition of the tombolo, a characteristic art of decoration of clothes or linen that takes its name from the pillow on which the lace work is performed.
In several reasoned dictionaries of the Kingdom of Naples, Santa Paolina is always indicated with the words Montefusco e Casali, while its real name appears in the distribution of expenses for the maintenance of the Royal Court, the maintenance of the Castle, city walls and other obligations of the Aristocratic house.

HISTORICAL NOTES

According to legend, the town of Santa Paolina was originally called San Felice and had this name until it was destroyed by a landslide. Following this catastrophic event, the population is said to have moved near a church dedicated to Saint Paolina, to which it owes the current name.
The first certain and historical news about Santa Paolina date back, however, to a notarial deed of the year 1083 and the name of the town is also found in documents concerning the distribution of expenses for the maintenance of the Royal Court, the maintenance of the Castle, city walls and other obligations of the Aristocratic house. In addition, it is known that the territory was a farmhouse reserved to the Royal Court, obtaining some privileges.
The town, however, arose by joining the agglomerations of houses located on the spurs of Brecciale, Petrarola and Capogiorgio and the subdivision by farmhouses (or “Vicatim”) is a characteristic still present in the territory.