Avellino
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Avellino is a town and comune, capital of the province of Avellino in the Campania region of southern Italy. It is situated 42 km (19 mi) north-east of Naples. Avellino is the seat of a diocese.
History
Before the Roman conquest, the ancient Abellinum was probably a Samnite centre. It has importance as a hub on the road from Salerno to Benevento.After the Goth and Vandal invasions of the 5th century AD, Avellino became a Lombard centre, with a castle edificated on the "Terra" hill (current Corso Umberto avenue). In the early Middle Ages it was part of the Duchy (later Principate) of Benevento and, after the latter's fall, of the Principate of Salerno.
In 1100, during the Norman rule of southern Italy, it was acquired by Riccardo dell'Aquila. Later king Charles I of Anjou assigned it to the Montfort family, who were succedeed by the Del Balzo and Filangieri.
The feudal rights to Avellino were purchased in 1581 by Don Marino I Caracciolo, duke of Atripalda, of a patrician family of Naples, who was made Prince of Avellino in 1589. Avellino became the main seat of the Caracciolo. Don Marino's son and grandson were consecutively Grand Chancellor of the Kingdom of Naples and chevaliers of the Order of the Golden Fleece. The grandson, Don Marino II (1587-1630), was the patron of Giambattista Basile, author of the Pentamerone.
In 1820 Avellino was seat of revolutionary riots. However, the Unification of Italy some fifty years later did not bring any benefit to the city, being cut off from the main road line Naples-Benevento-Foggia, and far from the sea as well.
In 1943 the city was bombed by Allied planes who aimed to cut the retreat of German panzer units over the important Bridge of Ferriera.
Avellino was heavily struck by the 1980 earthquake.
Trivia
The fictitious crime family depicted in the American television series The Sopranos trace their origins to this town.Main sights
Some ruins of the ancient city can be seen near the modern village of Atripalda, 4 km (2.5 mi) East of modern Avellino. A famous, rich villa was located on the current site of the Cathedral:External links
- [Official Site]
- [Giuseppe Stefanachi's site]
- [Caracciolo di Avellino]: genealogy of the dukes of Avellino
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