Surroundings
The Regio Tratturo is 211 km long and it is the third-longest Italian sheep trail. Its route starts from Pescasseroli, in the heart of the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise, and reaches Candela in the Tavoliere delle Puglie, crossing valleys and highlands in a south-easterly direction and tracing mostly the watershed of the Apennines. From the agriturismo it is possible to take two routes towards Casalbore or Zungoli with a convenient shuttle service.
Both of them are about 20 Km long.
In the Middle Ages, pilgrims arriving in Rome from Canterbury (England) continued their journey to the Holy Land along the Via Francigena of the South. The farm is located a few kilometers along stage 20 “Buonalbergo-Celle San Vito”.
Download the route on https://www.viefrancigene.org/it/resource/statictrack/tappa-20-da-buonalbergo-a-celle-s
Photo credit: Wikipedia
Photo credit: Wikipedia
The numerous castles of the province of Avellino were built, above all, from Longobardi and from Normanni. Many of them can be visited today. In order to know them through the tale, it is possible to visit the museum of the castles, situated in the Norman tower of Casalbore (open on reservation).
http://www.museodeicastelli.it/castelli.html
Among the things to do around the agriturismo, we suggest a walk in the historical center of Ariano. We suggest the following itinerary: Cathedral – Museum of Ceramics – Town Villa – Norman Castle – Museum of the Norman Civilization (inside the castle) – panorama of the Irpinian hills.
During the walk you can visit local handicraft stores and stores of Arianese majolica.
(10 mins by car)
Photo credit: Wikipedia
Photo credit: Wikipedia
The Sanctuary was built after the apparition of the Madonna to a deaf-mute shepherdess, daughter of the owner of the mill built near the stream that ploughed the bottom of the valley. The Sanctuary has always been a place of worship and pilgrimage. Still today the Madonna Salute degli Infermi is in the heart of all the inhabitants of Arian. On the day of Pentecost, the foundation of the Sanctuary is commemorated with a feast: a special day of popular celebration and spiritual renewal.
(10′ by car)
“One of the most beautiful, moving and magical traditions of Irpinia is represented by the straw wagons of Fontanarosa (August 14), Flumeri (August 8) and Mirabella Eclano (third Saturday in September), devoutly and patiently made, for centuries, by proud local artisans. (30 minutes by car)
Photo credit: Wikipedia
Photo credit: Wikipedia
The legendary Mephite, near Rocca San Felice, is a small sulphur lake. The area is characterized by a pungent smell, the noisy bubbling of the waters and an arid land, without flora and fauna due to the gaseous exhalations. It was indicated by Virgil, in the Aeneid, as a Door to the Underworld. (30 minutes by car)
The village of Greci is the only center in Campania where a population of Arbëreshë survives, a legacy of immigrants from Albania since the second half of 1400. Walking through the streets of the village, all built in local stone, you can hear the inhabitants speak in Albanian and read the signs in the original language.
To visit: the 1600 church of San Bartolomeo, the archaeological museum, the mnemoteca, the Lusi palace, the Irpinian panorama from the municipal villa called Breggo. (15 minutes by car)
Photo credit: Wikipedia
Photo credit: Wikipedia
Zungoli is a small village with an orange flag, on the border between Irpinia and Daunia. It preserves many artifacts from the Roman era, such as funeral shrines, inscriptions, coins and a military stone that testifies to the restoration of the Via Herculea wanted by Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Not to be missed is the historical center, which boasts beautiful buildings and the primitive Castle, the heart of the city. The most particular aspect of Zungoli is the subsoil. Under the feet, in fact, there are hundreds of tunnels and tuff caves, dating back to the ninth and tenth centuries and used since then as cellars and warehouses. Today it’s very common to find the refining of local cheeses such as caciocavallo podolico in this area. The most particular aspect of Zungoli is the subsoil. Under the feet, in fact, there are hundreds of tunnels and tuff caves, dating back to the ninth and tenth centuries and used since then as cellars and warehouses. Today in these places is practiced the refining of local cheeses such as caciocavallo podolico. (15 mins by car)
The winemaking tradition in Campania dates back to the times of Greeks and Romans, since when the region was known as Campania Felix. The fertility of its soils, climatic differences and rich biodiversity of grapes, among the most ancient ones of the world, allow Campania’s wines to be counted among the best ones of Italy.
Campania is the land which produces the elegant wines of Irpinia: Taurasi, Greco di Tufo and Fiano di Avellino; of Sannio: Falanghina and Aglianico del Taburno. It is the land of fresh and aromatic wines of the Amalfitana and Sorrentina peninsulas, of the Cilento and Ischia island; it is the land of volcanic wines produced at the foot of Vesuvius such as Lacryma Christi, in Campi Flegrei and near the volcanic area of Roccamonfina where we find Falerno del Massico and Asprinio di Aversa.
Photo credit: Consorzio Vini d'Irpinia
Photo credit: Wikipedia
The city of Benevento, located in the inland of Campania Region, has a past rich history. It is a city that can be defined as an “open-air museum”. Of the Roman period, the Trajan Arch, which stands at the center of the city, was built between 114 and 117d.c. in honor of Emperor Trajan, placed at the beginning of the Via Traiana that shortened the route from Benevento to Brindisi; the Roman Theatre, built by Caracalla, famous for its excellent acoustics; the Arch of the Sacrament. The church of Santa Sofia with its beautiful cloister and the “Civitas Nova” with its perimeter walls date back to the Longobard period. Finally, with the passage of Benevento to the Papal domain, we recommend a visit to the majestic Rocca dei Rettori, the Cathedral, Paul V Palace, Basilica of St. Bartholomew, the Basilica of Our Lady of Grace. A must-see is the Hortus Conclusus, in the garden of the former convent of S. Domenico, in Piazza Guerrazzi, a set of significant sculptural elements of the artist Domenico Paladino, configuring a single work completed. (30 mins by car)
When you think of the south, you think of the sea, the beaches, the heat of summer and no one would ever think of coming across mountains 1,800 m above sea level in the green Irpinia, with cool and dry temperatures even in August. Situated behind the Amalfi coast, between the province of Avellino and the province of Salerno, the Picentini mountains are the green lungs of Campania and Southern Italy. Their peculiarities and hydrogeological conditions make this mountain range the most important natural water reservoir of the entire Southern Apennines: most of the major rivers of Campania originate from the Picentini. For trekking lovers, there are breathtaking landscapes, paths to be taken on foot or on horseback, through beech forests among the most beautiful in Italy and mountain villages among the scents and colors of the beautiful Mediterranean scrub.
http://www.parcoregionalemontipicentini.it/parco/scopri-il-parco/sentieri-intelligenti
(30 mins by car)
Photo credit: Wikipedia
The Amalfi Coast is known worldwide for its colors, landscapes, steep cliffs and a jagged coastline characterized by small beaches and pastel-colored fishing villages. From the city of Salerno, we recommend a boat ride to stop in Amalfi and Positano. If you have time, a spaghetti with colatura di alici in Cetara may leave you speechless. For those who love trekking, the Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) is a stop not to be missed. It is possible to book a shuttle service from the agriturismo to visit the Amalfi Coast during the day. (60 minutes by car)
Naples is an important stop for those visiting Campania. It can be explored in an hour, a day, a weekend or much longer. Every snippet is a good opportunity to get to know it and capture its essence. You can visit the historical center, Castel dell’Ovo with the waterfront, the Capodimonte Museum, the Royal Palace, eat a Neapolitan pizza and have a good coffee. You can book a shuttle service from the agriturismo to visit Naples during the day. (60 minutes by car)
Photo credit: Wikipedia
Photo credit: Wikipedia
The Royal Palace of Caserta is the most prestigious destination for those who choose to visit the city of Caserta. Designed in the eighteenth century by architect Luigi Vanvitelli, at the b request of Charles III of Bourbon, the Royal Palace of Caserta is a true masterpiece of architecture and decoration. Rich in numerous works of art, the Royal Palace is the largest royal residence in the world. A wonderful park which is a typical example of Italian gardens, built with vast lawns, square flowerbeds and, above all, fountains and waterfalls, adorned with large sculptural groups. It is possible to book a shuttle service from the farmhouse to visit the Royal Palace of Caserta during the day. (90 minutes by car)
Matera is a place with a special charm, a leap into the past, charming, and also known as the City of Stone. The Sassi di Matera are two districts of Matera, Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, formed by buildings and rocky architecture carved into the rock of the Murgia materana and inhabited since prehistoric times. In 1993 they were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is possible to book a shuttle service from the agriturismo to visit Matera during the day. (120 minutes by car)
Photo credit: Wikipedia
La Cantina Giardino è nata dalla passione per il vino di un gruppo di amici, dal progetto di valorizzazione dei vitigni autoctoni dell’Irpinia. Dal 2003 ad oggi la cantina ha saputo distinguersi per la produzione di vini territoriali ottenuti da viti di età elevata, coltivate a regime biologico. Dietro al lavoro e all’eccellenza di Cantina Giardino sta l’idea di riuscire a salvaguardare i vecchi impianti e le antiche tradizioni enologiche, considerati come un patrimonio inestimabile, minacciato dalle mode passeggere e dalle produzioni industriali. (10’ in macchina)
Le premiate Cantine Antonio Caggiano sono il punto di riferimento per conoscere ed apprezzare i grandi vini irpini: il Taurasi DOCG, il Fiano di Avellino DOCG e il Greco di Tufo DOCG. Il territorio di Taurasi, antico borgo Irpino, costituisce il cuore della zona di produzione del Taurasi DOCG. E’ proprio a Taurasi, che sorge l’Azienda Agricola Antonio Caggiano. Consigliamo di prenotare in anticipo la visita. (30’ in macchina)
Quello della famiglia Roberto è un progetto con protagonisti sei giovani e intraprendenti cugini e un vigneto che sorge sulle pendici collinari di Greci.
Nel 2012, il progetto inizia a prendere vita attraverso l’innesto di tre tipologie di vitigni su una superficie di tre ettari, sulla quale vengono impiantate più di 10.000 barbatelle. I vitigni utilizzati sono più precisamente il Fiano di Avellino, il Greco di Tufo e il Piedirosso; due vitigni bianchi e uno rosso che creano un mix di uve differenti tra loro per gusto e odori, ma che insieme producono il loro miglior prodotto, lo spumante metodo classico. (10’ in macchina)
La famiglia Pepe è un’antica famiglia irpina che da generazioni è impegnata nella produzione di vini di qualità. Seguendo il proprio intuito e spinta dall’amore per la sua terra, Milena Pepe, nata e cresciuta in Belgio, si traferisce in Irpinia per seguire le orme del papà. Proprietaria della Tenuta Cavalier Pepe, Milena Pepe ha creduto in sé e ancor più nelle potenzialità dell’Irpinia. Su una superficie di 60 ettari vitati, produce per il mercato italiano ed internazionale vini Irpinia di alta qualità. www.tenutapepe.it (40’ in macchina)
