Ariano Irpino

The town of Ariano Irpino is located on the northern side of the Ufita Valley, 601 metres above sea level and 76 km from Avellino. With its 22,004 inhabitants and its 100.88 sq km, it is the second most populous municipality in the province of Avellino, as well as the largest by area. The neighbouring municipalities are: Apice, Castelfranco in Miscano, Flumeri, Greci, Grottaminarda, Melito Irpino, Montecalvo Irpino, Monteleone di Puglia, Savignano Irpino, Villanova del Battista and Zungoli. The Ufita and Miscano rivers run through it and it is crossed by the Cervaro stream.
The etymology of the name could derive from the Latin term Ab Ara Iani, with reference to an ancient pagan altar dedicated to the god Janus or, according to another version, from the phrase Fundus Arianus (lit. “land of Arius”). The inhabitants are called Arianesi and Saint Ottone Frangipane is their patron saint.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Norman Castle - Of Lombard origin, later restored and enlarged by the Normans, it stands on the summit of the hill of the same name
Cathedral - The imposing basilica is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, to Saint Ottone Frangipane (protector of the diocese) and to Saint Elzearo of Sabrano (co-patron saints)
Museum of Ceramics - The ancient Forte Palace houses over 250 ceramics to tell the story of an ancient art that mixes water, fire, earth and air with the colours and mastery of Ariano potters
Museum of Norman Civilisation - Located in the Norman Castle, it preserves the numismatic collection, a large model of the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and about 200 authentic specimens of weapons from various eras
Museums - Archaeological Museum, Diocesan Museum, Museum of the Cathedral’s Silver Collection, “Giuseppina Arcucci” Museum, Museum of the History of the Earth and Life
Sanctuary of San Liberatore Vescovo e Martire (Saint Liberatore Bishop and Martyr) - Located on a hill surrounded by olive groves, it is dedicated to the co-patron Saint Liberatore
Sanctuary Salus Infirmorum of Valleluogo - Located at a historic mill, in a valley rich in water and ancient trees
Church of San Pietro Apostolo della Guardia (Saint Peter the Apostle of Guardia)- It is located in the historic Guardia district and dates back to 1459
Church of the Madonna del Carmine (Our Lady of Mount Carmel) - Built in 1688, near the former Capuchin convent
Church of Sant’Agostino (Saint Augustin) - Located in the ancient Piazza Ferrara, it houses an altar of the Consolation of the 16th century
Municipal Villa - Built in 1876 in the Castle area, it stands out for its vast panoramic views
Palaces - ex Bevere-Gambacorta Palace, San Giacomo Palace, Anzani Palace, Forte Palace, Vitoli-Cozzo Palace, De Piano-D’Afflitto Palace, Marino Palace, ex Vitale-Pisapia Palace, Sgobbo Mansion, Forte Mansion
Towers of the territory - In the north-east sector of the municipal countryside, there are three watchtowers from the Middle Ages: the Torre delle Ciaule, the Torretta di Camporeale, and the Torre delli Pizzi
Historical paths and ancient roads - Regio Tratturo (old transhumance route) Pescasseroli-Candela, Via Francigena del Sud, Via Traiana, Via Aemilia, Via Herculea, Mulattiera Regia Angioina, Country routes of the High Middle Ages and Modern era
Nature trails - Nature Trail “Among the historic olive groves”, Path “On the wheat roads”, River paths (Cervaro, Miscano, streams and natural rivulets that descend from the slopes of the territory)
Other - Archaeological sites (Prehistoric archaeological site of Starza, Preclassical-classical and medieval archaeological site of Aequum Tuticum-S. Eleuterio), Libraries and archives (Municipal Library P. S. Mancini, Diocesan Library, Library of the Municipal Museum, Library of the European Centre for Norman Studies, Municipal Archive, Diocesan Historical Archive, Parish Archives), Churches (Church of Sant'Angelo, Church and Conservatory of San Francesco Saverio, Church of Saint Anne and Pia Casa di Istruzione e Lavoro (Holy House of Learning and Work), Church of San Vincenzo Pallotti (Saint Vincent), Church of San Giovanni Battista della Valle (John the Baptist of the Valley), Church of San Pietro “de reclusis”, Church of Santa Maria dei Martiri (Holy Mother of Martyrs), Church of Santa Maria di Loreto (Our Lady of Loreto), Church of Santa Barbara, Church of San G. Evangelista (John the Evangelist), Church of San Giuseppe (Saint Joseph), Church of Santa Maria del Buon Consiglio (Our Lady of Good Counsel), Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (Saint Mary of Graces), Church of Santa Teresa del Bambin Gesù (Saint Teresa of Lisieux), Church of Santa Maria Assunta-Manna (Saint Mary of the Assumption), Sanctuary of the Madonna di Fatima (Our Lady of Fatima)), Borgo dei Tranesi, Ancient Oil Mills (Trappeto Guardabascio, Trappeto di Maina), Ancient Mills (in Valleluogo), Ancient Farmhouses (Falceta, Serro, Chiuppo dè Bruno, S. Eleuterio), Fountains (Maddalena, Tetta, S. Antonio, Scarnecchia, S. Barbara, Brecceto), Boschetto dei Pasteni woods

EVENTS

Ariano Folkfestival - Music festival that hosts the major exponents of world, folk and gypsy music from all over the world, held in August
Historical Re-enactment of the Gift of the Sacred Thorns - Three days of medieval setting, re-enacting the moment when Charles I of Anjou donated two Sacred Thorns of the crown of Christ to the survivors of the massacre carried out by the Saracens in 1255, held in August
Vicoli e Arte (Alleys and Art) - Cultural event held in August, born with the aim of making known and enhancing the historical stratification present in the alleys, houses and caves of the historic Arianesi districts
Ariano International Film Festival - Film festival that takes place between the end of July and the beginning of August
Pizza Festival - Food and wine event, held in August
Feast of Saint Anthony - Celebrations in honour of Saint Anthony of Padua, held in June
Mediterranean Taste Fair - International event on food and wine, held in October in the Fiere della Campania exhibition centre
Sud Motor Expo - Event dedicated to the world of engines, held in September in the Fiere della Campania exhibition centre

TYPICAL FOOD AND PRODUCTS

Irpinia Colline dell’Ufita PDO - Extra virgin olive oil deriving largely from the Ravece variety, characterised by a pleasant bitter and spicy taste
Caciocavallo Silano PDO - Semi-hard cheese, with spun curd, produced with milk from different breeds of cows, including Podolica
Ufita garlic PAT - Product with an aromatic flavour and characterised by a high amount of essential oils and active agents
Caciocchiato PAT - Semi-hard cheese, with spun curd, oval in shape, produced with milk from mixed-breed cows, with medium ageing (from 2 to 6-12 months) in rooms at a controlled temperature
Melella Cherry PAT - White, with firm pulp and very compact
San Pasquale Cherry PAT - Red, medium-sized, usually eaten fresh
San Giovanni PAT Apple - Apple with a greenish-yellow skin, characterised by a very fragrant, crunchy and juicy pulp
Sant’Anna Pear PAT - Fruit with a delicious sugary taste, yellow in colour, has small red spots in the parts most exposed to the sun
Spina Pear PAT - Similar to the Sant’Anna, it is distinguished from it by its smaller size
Risciola PAT - Precious ancient wheat, rich in minerals and vitamins that ensure a strong and authentic taste
Casatiello - Calzone stuffed with ricotta, sometimes also sweetened, prepared especially during the Easter period
Laine and Ciciri - Fresh pasta rolled to a sheet, seasoned with chickpeas and tomato sauce
Minestra Maritata - Dish with a pork and boiled vegetable base
Pipilli Chini - Round peppers stuffed with bread crumbs, pine nuts, raisins, oil and cooked wine

FUN FACTS

The city centre of Ariano Irpino rises in a dominant position on three hills (Castello, Calvario and San Bartolomeo), from which the epithet of Città del Tricolle (City of the three hills) is derived.
From 1868 to 1930 the city took the name of Ariano di Puglia and was the seat of the district of the same name, existing until 1926.
The municipal stadium located in Via della Ginestra is named after the Olympic track and field champion Pietro Mennea (1952-2013).

HISTORICAL NOTES

The origins of Ariano Irpino date back to the Neolithic settlement of Starza, located along the road that leads from Benevento to Foggia. The Samnites later founded in the area of Sant’Eleuterio Aequum Tuticum (“field” or “great plain”). With the passage of time, this site was Romanised and became an important road junction along the route of the Tratturo (old transhumance route) “Candela-Pescasseroli”.
With the Barbarian invasions, however, the decadence of this settlement called Aequum Tuticum began, until it disappeared due to violent earthquakes.
Subsequently, the inhabitants began to settle on a different area, the Tricolle, on a hill to the south. This is how Ariano Irpino was born, a Lombard stronghold that, during the various eras, saw the alternation of various conquering peoples, including the Normans, supporters of the restructuring of the Castle. To own the fief were then the Swabians, the Angevins, the Provencal family of Desabramo, the Carafa and Gonzaga families, until in 1585 the city redeemed itself from the feudal regime to become a Royal City.