Prata di Principato Ultra

The Municipality of Prata di Principato Ultra is located within the area of the Sabato Valley. It's a town with 2,995 inhabitants, located 310 metres above sea level, at 13 km from Avellino. The territory extends for 10.99 sq km and the adjoining municipalities are: Altavilla Irpina, Grottolella, Montefredane, Montemiletto, Pratola Serra, Santa Paolina and Tufo. The Sabato river runs through it.
The etymology of the name is uncertain, but according to some it derives from the Latin word Pratum, Prata in the plural, which means “meadow” or “plain”, referring to a manuscript attestation of 1328; the specific “Ultra Principality” refers, instead, to the administrative subdivision prior to the Unification of Italy. The inhabitants are called Pratesi and Saint James is their patron saint.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Early Christian Basilica Maria SS. dell’Annunziata (Holy Mary of the Annunciation) - Among the oldest monuments of Irpinia, it preserves the remains of a catacomb and a church founded prior to the 8th century
Zamagna Baronial Palace - Built on the remains of the ancient medieval palace in the 17th century, it was completely rebuilt in the Renaissance period, changed into a typical residential palace
Ciambelli Palace - Historic building dating back to the 17th century located in front of the Church of San Giacomo
Other - Church of San Giacomo Apostolo (Saint James the Apostle), Church San Giuseppe (Saint Joseph), Oratory of the Immaculate Conception, Civic Tower, Pace Park, Grillo Palace

EVENTS

Ai Tiempi ro Barone (At the time of the Baron) - Historical re-enactment event, held in June
Prata Jazz Festival - Musical event, held in July
Feast of the Holy Annunciation - It takes place on the first Sunday after Easter and is a tradition that has been handed down for centuries; it gathers together the faithful and not at the Early Christian Archbasilica for the celebrations and the traditional Flight of the Angel
Flight of the Angel - It involves the singing of the Ave Maria by two girls, dressed as Angels, hanging on a rope
Feast of Saint James - Celebrations in honour of the patron saint that take place in July

TYPICAL FOOD AND PRODUCTS

Greco di Tufo DOCG - Noble wine deriving from an ancient grape variety, of Greek origin, with unparalleled typicality, renowned the world over for its aromas and flavour
Hazelnut Camponica PAT - Cultivated mainly in the hilly areas of Irpinia, it has excellent quality characteristics and its fruits are intended above all for direct consumption

FUN FACTS

The Basilica Maria SS. dell’Annunziata (Holy Mary of the Annunciation) has a particular importance in the history of art and Christianity, so much so that it was visited on 10 January 1932 by Umberto of Savoy, heir to the Crown of Italy.

HISTORICAL NOTES

Some remains of a Roman aqueduct and funerary monuments of the early Christian age clearly attest that Prata di Principato Ultra has been inhabited since ancient times. The construction of the first nucleus, which refers approximately to today’s town, dates back to the time of the Lombard domination, in the 6th century AD.
Destroyed by Roger II in the year 1134, it was conquered by Alfonso V the Magnanimous in 1439. Over the centuries several dynasties alternated, including the Zamagna of Dubrovnik, the Gargano and the Cesarano families. These families lived in the current Baronial Palace, until the abolition of feudalism in 1806.
With the proclamation of the Unification of Italy, the Municipality of Prata acquired the specification of “Principato Ultra” to distinguish itself from the other municipalities of the same name.