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Avellino

 
 
Avellino (ävāl-lē'), city (1991 pop. 55,662), capital of Avellino prov., Campania, S Italy. It is an agricultural and light manufacturing center. Although damaged by earthquakes in 1930 and 1980, the city has retained much of its medieval aspect. Of note are the 12th-century cathedral and the ruins of a castle (9th-10th cent.). Near Avellino is the Benedictine convent and pilgrimage shrine of Monte Vergine (founded early 12th cent.).


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Avellino
—  Comune  —
Comune di Avellino
Panorama of Avellino
Avellino is located in Italy
Avellino
Location of Avellino in Italy
Coordinates: 40°55′N 14°47′E / 40.917°N 14.783°E / 40.917; 14.783Coordinates: 40°55′N 14°47′E / 40.917°N 14.783°E / 40.917; 14.783
Country Italy
Region Campania
Province Avellino (AV)
Frazioni Picarelli, Bellizzi Irpino, Valle, Pianodardine
Government
 - Mayor Giuseppe Galasso
Area
 - Total 30.4 km2 (11.7 sq mi)
Elevation 348 m (1,142 ft)
Population (30 April 2009)
 - Total 56,744
 - Density 1,866.6/km2 (4,834.4/sq mi)
 - Demonym Avellinesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 - Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 83100
Dialing code 0825
Patron saint St. Modestino
Saint day February 14
Website Official website

Avellino is a town and comune, capital of the province of Avellino in the Campania region of southern Italy. It is situated in a plain surrounded by mountains 42 km (26 mi) north-east of Naples and is an important hub on the road from Salerno to Benevento.

Contents

History

Before the Roman conquest, the ancient Abellinum was a centre of the Samnite Hirpini.

The town was Christianized around 500 AD, becoming an episcopal see. There followed the invasions of the Goths and Vandals. Subsequently Avellino became a Lombard centre, with a castle on the Terra hill. 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 succeeded by the Del Balzo and the Filangierian of the House of Candia.

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 railway line Naples-Benevento-Foggia, and far from the sea as well.

In 1943 the city was bombed by Allied planes in an attempt to cut off the retreat of German panzer units over the important Bridge of Ferriera.

Avellino has suffered from seismic activity throughout its history and was struck hard by the earthquakes of 23 November 1980 and 14 February 1981.

Main sights

Avellino Cathedral.

Some ruins of the ancient Abellinum can be seen near the modern village of Atripalda, 4 km (2.5 mi) East of modern Avellino.

The Cathedral, with its Romanesque crypt, stands on the site of a rich and famous Roman villa which was built around 129 BC and abandoned after the eruption of Vesuvius and associated earthquake in 346.

There are some remains of the Lombard castle in Piazza Castello (Castle Square).

Notable people

View of the Old City.
  • Antonio Maccanico, politician
  • Biagio Agnes, journalist
  • Mario Agnes, journalist
  • Maurizio Lanzaro, footballer
  • Milly D'Abbraccio, pornographic actress
  • Pino (Sepp) D'Amore, writer
  • Albina Bruno, swing dancer
  • Federico Amodeo, mathematician
  • Gianfranco Rotondi, politician
  • Ralph Sazio, football player and coach
  • Lino Jannuzzi, politician and journalist
  • Sonia Aquino, actress
  • Jimmy Petruzzi, football coach

Fictional people

Of the listed people below, none of them were born in Avellino, except for Corrado Soprano, Sr. The rest of the people were born in New Jersey, but relatives were born in Avellino.


Sources

  • Galasso, Giampiero (1992). Avellino. Storia e immagini. De Angelis. 

See also

External links


View of the City.

 
 
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Columbia Encyclopedia. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright © 2003, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. www.cc.columbia.edu/cu/cup/ Read more
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