Avellino

Avellino is a town of the Campania region, capital of the homonymous province. The town lies in a suggestive valley, Valle del Sabato, surrounded by the Picentini mountains and the Partenio Massif. The local economy is mainly based on agriculture, commerce and industry. The town origins date back to the migrations of the early settlers of Abellinum, following the Lombards invasions in the 6th century who defeated the Romans after 300 hundred years of domination. In the 10th century the area became a county; the town was under different rulers such as Byzantines, Normans, dell'Aquila Family, Sanseverino, Del Balzo and Caracciolo. Among the main architectural and religious buildings there are the wonderful Palazzo della Dogana, the magnificent Palazzo Caracciolo, the Clock Tower (built in the 17th century), the beautiful Cathedral and the marvellous Municipal Villa. Avellino offers a wide range of cultural and artistic attractions including the prestigious Museo Irpino (Irpinian Museum), the important Museo Diocesano (Diocesan Museum) and the famous monument dedicated to Charles II of Augsburg. Tourists can choose from a wide selection of accommodation facilities such as hotels and guest-houses suitable for all needs and budgets. Visitors are also attracted by the specialities of the local cuisine: try the succulent lasagna imbottita (filled lasagna) or the tasty pasta fritta (fried pasta) accompanied by the elegant and important Irpinian wines. In fact, Avellino belongs to the Associazione nazionale delle Città del Vino (National Wine Association).