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province of Avellino

Andretta

Province of Avellino, Region Campania, Italy

The little town, whose population was greatly reduced by emigration, rises on a high hill in the Apennines dominating the valley of the Ofanto river. The area has traces of settlement from the Bronze Age (1000 BC), as well as Samnite and Roman remains. The earliest historical mention however is in 1124, when it was ruled by the Norman Folleville; other lords were the Zurlo and Caracciolo families. In 1996 a twinship was established with Ramapo, NY (USA).

INFO: Altitude: 850 m a.s.l * Territory: mountainous * Population: ca. 2400 inhabitants -- Zip/postal code: 83040 -- Phone Area Code: 0827 * Patron Saint: Sant'Antonio from Padua, celebrated on 5 September * Frazioni & Località: Mattinella, Alvano, Arenara, Casadogna, Margine, Masserie Guglielmo, Masserie Nigro, Pisciolo, Schiavi.

WHAT TO SEE
  • Church of Santa Maria Assunta, with a fine wooden choir and imposing bell-tower
  • Church of Santa Maria del Carmine with annexed monastery
  • Church of the Annunziata, with a wonderful stone portal dated 13th century.
  • Sanctuary of the Stella Mattutina (=Morning Star), a few km away, a Benedictine monastery once under the jurisdiction of the Abbey of San Lorenzo in Pescopagano, where a procession in honor of the Madonna della Stella Mattutina takes place on the last Saturday in May, with girls dressed in white carrying gifts (called "Mazzetti") of flowers and wheat ears.
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