The Municipality of Mercogliano rises in the area of the Partenio Park. It's a city of 12,180 inhabitants, located 550 meters above sea level and 5 km from Avellino. The territory extends for 19.92 sq km and the adjoining municipalities are: Avellino, Monteforte Irpino, Mugnano del Cardinale, Ospedaletto d'Alpinolo, Quadrelle and Summonte.
The etymology of the name seems to derive from the Latin term mercurianum which, according to some scholars, indicates the presence in these places of possessions of the magistri mercuriales, that is, the "magistrates" who administered the cult of Mercury; the current name derives, in particular, from Castrum Mercuriani. The inhabitants are called Mercoglianesi. Saints Modestinus, Florentinus and Flavianus are their patron saints.
PLACES OF INTEREST
- Sanctuary of Montevergine - Seat of one of the six Italian territorial abbeys, it houses the painting of the "Madonna di Montevergine", venerated here and also called "Mamma Schiavona", visited every year by about one and a half million pilgrims
- Loreto Abbey Palace - Architectural structure of considerable artistic and historical interest
- Church of Santi Modestino, Fiorentino e Flaviano (Saints Modestinus, Florentinus and Flavianus) - Religious building of which the first records date back to 1052: it is located at the end of Viale San Modestino and, inside there is a well and an ancient temple dedicated to Mercury
- Church of Santi Pietro e Paolo (Saints Peter and Paul) - It preserves the bones of Saints Modestinus, Florentinus and Flavianus, as well as majolica decorations and also some 17th century paintings, one of which is attributed to Giuseppe Scala
- Medieval Castle - Dating back to the years between 1077 and 1099, it is located in the ancient centre of Mercogliano, known as Capocastello due to the presence of the fortress
- Antiquarium - Museum inaugurated in 2009, located in the Crypt of the Church of Santissima Immacolata Concezione (Holy Immaculate Conception) in the ancient medieval village of Capocastello
- Church of San Francesco (Saint Francis) - Religious building built at the beginning of the 17th century: among the works of art on its walls and ceiling, those dedicated to the life of the saint stand out
- MAM - Montevergine Abbey Museum - Exhibition set up inside the Sanctuary of Montevergine, whose museum rooms were completed in 2000
- Porta dei Santi (Gate of the Saints) - Lower portal of access to the ancient town of Mercogliano: in the upper part a fresco depicting Saints Modestinus, Florentinus and Flavianus is still visible
- Acqua Fidia - A source of fresh water located just 5 km from the centre of Mercogliano that owes its name to a legendary temple dedicated to the goddess Phidias that would have appeared in this area
- Campo Maggiore - Also called "Campo Mercogliano", it's located at an altitude of 1,406 meters and is a fascinating place from a naturalistic and landscape point of view
EVENTS
- Candelora - Among the most heartfelt devotional celebrations in Campania, is celebrated on the 2nd of February, when the "femminielli" go up to the Sanctuary of Montevergine (the so-called Juta) to honour the rite of Mamma Schiavona and respect an ancient tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages
- Feast of the Mountain - Three days to experience and talk about the mountains, with competitions, sports activities, courses, tastings of local cuisine, theatrical performances and musical performances
- La Zeza di Mercogliano - Carnival event which consists of a real ancient popular theatrical representation, with some key characters
- Cronoscalata al Santuario - A sports day with an individual time trial cycling race
- Castellarte - An event that has been held since 1993, on the last weekend of July, in the village of Capocastello, with performances by international artists and an audience of about 60,000 people per edition (it has been suspended for the last 3 years)
TYPICAL FOOD AND PRODUCTS
- Montevergine liqueurs - Seven types of liqueur produced by the Benedictine Fathers of Montevergine, produced with blends of aromatic herbs (Amaro Benedettino, Anisetta Benedettina, Anthemis, Brandy, Gran Liquore Partenio, Gran Liquore Romito e Gran Liquore Verginian)
- Honey - An integral part of the culture and history of local populations. It's produced by the Benedictine fathers of Montevergine in different types: Asphodel Honey, Borage Honey, Thistle Honey and Bramble Honey, all recognized as PAT
- Fiano di Avellino DOCG - One of the finest white wines in Italy and on the international market
- Nougat - Born from ancient recipes, it is a tradition carried on by several local companies
- Caciocavallo Silano PDO - Semi-hard cheese, with spun curd, produced with milk from different breeds of cows, including Podolica
FUN FACTS
From the highest points of the mountain ranges of Mercogliano it is possible to admire a splendid panorama that embraces vast areas of the region, leading the gaze to the sea and the islands.
HISTORICAL NOTES
The first settlements in the current territory of Mercogliano date back to Roman times: in fact, a Roman military column was found in the locality of Alvanella, evidence of a roadway that still connects Irpinia to Naples. Further proof of these settlements is the strong cult towards the god Mercury, whose image, today, stands out on the town's coat of arms.
The foundation of today's Mercogliano dates back to the period of Lombard domination, when a colony of refugees from the destroyed Abellinum settled on the hill where the city centre stands today. Originally a hamlet of Avellino, it was mentioned for the first time in a document of 982. With the construction of the Castle, which took place in the 1000s, Mercogliano acquired its own autonomy, under Enrico di Sarno, subfeudatory of the Count of Avellino Rainulfo.
Later, Mercogliano was administered by Ruggiero Dell'Aquila, before being absorbed by the Abbey of Montevergine and finally returning to the feuds of Santa Casa dell'Annunziata in Naples.
A convenient, safe and fast way to reach the sanctuary of Montevergine? In Mercogliano one of the steepest funiculars in Europe is used, in just 7 minutes you can reach the top and from there you can also catch a glimpse of Vesuvius
Mercogliano
Piazza Municipio, 1, 83013 Mercogliano AV, Italia
Events
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Friday 26th and Saturday 27th July religious and civil events will accompany the Mercogliano…
Friday 27 September at the Sisters Montis Virginis Library, the dialogue with Fiorentino…
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As part of the celebrations for the 9th centenary of the Montevergine Abbey Foundation, the…
Featured places
Via San Pietro, 83013 Mercogliano AV, Italia
The Mother Church houses the relics of the patron saints. The exterior of the church is…
Via Loreto, 1, 83013 Mercogliano AV, Italia
With an unusual octagonal shape, the Abbey of Loreto is an artistic and historic treasure…
Viale San Modestino, 7, 83013 Mercogliano AV, Italia
Dedicated to the patron saints, the first mention of the building dates back to 1052. Inside…
Località Montevergine, 83013 Mercogliano AV, Italia
Recognised as one of Italy’s six territorial abbeys, it is home to the painting of the Madonna…
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