Senerchia

The Municipality of Senerchia is located in the Sele Valley, in the area of the Picentini Mountains Park. It's a village with 798 inhabitants, located 600 metres above sea level, at 75 km from Avellino. The territory extends for 35.99 sq km and the adjoining municipalities are: Acerno, Calabritto, Campagna, Oliveto Citra and Valva. It's crossed by the Sele river and other minor springs, including the Vallone and Acquabianca streams.
The etymology of the name is linked to the Roman oppidum Sena Herclea. The inhabitants are called Senerchiesi and Saint Michael the Archangel is their patron.

PLACES OF INTEREST

WWF Oasis Valle della Caccia - Splendid oasis, active since 1992 and immersed in the Picentini Mountains, it stands out for its spectacular waterfall, about 30 meters high
Ancient village - Fascinating portion of the historic village, located under the ruins of the castle and largely abandoned before the earthquake of the 23rd of November 1980
Castle Ruins - Built by the Lombards between the 8th and 9th centuries, it dominates the Sele Valley from the highest point with the lookout tower still standing
Church of San Michele Arcangelo (Saint Michael the Archangel) - In Romanesque style, perhaps dating back to the 9th century, it offers a spectacular landscape
Other - Mother Church of S. Maria Assunta (Saint Mary of the Assumption), Church of S.Antonio (Saint Anthony), Chapel of Madonna del Tiglio, Cave of Madonna di Lourdes (Our Lady of Lourdes), Chapel of Madonna delle Grazie (Our Lady of Graces)

EVENTS

Feast of Sant'Antuono - Celebrations in honour of Saint Anthony the Abbot scheduled in January, with the lighting of bonfires (carcara)
Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel - Celebrations in honour of the patron saint, scheduled on two different dates: 8th of May and 29th of September
Pork feast - Food and wine event held outdoors, between February and March
Feast of Saint Gerard - Celebrations in honour of Saint Gerard Majella, scheduled for October

TYPICAL FOOD AND PRODUCTS

Peperoni quagliettani PAT - A particular type of peppers, also called "papazzi", grown in the middle-upper Sele Valley, especially in the localities of Senerchia and Quaglietta
“Cu u muss pint” pasta and beans - Traditional Senerchia first course
Trout - Fished along the river Sele, thanks to the presence of fish farms
Caciocavallo Silano PDO - Semi-hard cheese, with spun curd, produced with milk from different breeds of cows, including Podolica

FUN FACTS

During the Feast of Saint Anthony, the Senerchia community usually collects wood from all the houses in the village, in order to use it for lighting the bonfires.

HISTORICAL NOTES

Senerchia has very ancient origins, dating back to the 9th century BC, when the Picentini, who settled after the Second Punic War, remained in what was once called Sena Herclea.
After a succession of various populations and following the separation of the Principality of Salerno from the Duchy of Benevento in 840, Senerchia obtained the title of Universitas, that is a fortified centre with its own autonomy and a permanent resident population.
During the Kingdom of Naples and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, Senerchia was a municipality belonging to the Calabritto district, included in the Campagna District, in the province of Citra Principality. With the Unification of Italy, it was assigned to the province of Avellino.