Province of Avellino facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Province of Avellino
|
||
|---|---|---|
Palazzo Caracciolo, the provincial seat.
|
||
|
||
Map highlighting the location of the province of Avellino in Italy
|
||
| Country |  Italy |
|
| Region | Campania | |
| Capital(s) | Avellino | |
| Comuni | 119 | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 2,806 km2 (1,083 sq mi) | |
| Population
(30 June 2016)
|
||
| • Total | 423,932 | |
| • Density | 151.081/km2 (391.30/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
| Postal code |
83010-83018, 83020-83032, 83034-83054, 83056-83059
|
|
| Telephone prefix | 081, 082, 0824, 0825, 0827, 0835 | |
| Vehicle registration | AV | |
| ISTAT | 064 | |
The Province of Avellino (called Provincia di Avellino in Italian) is a special area in Campania, a region in Southern Italy. It's like a big county with many small towns and villages. Only two towns here have more than 20,000 people: Avellino, which is the capital city, and Ariano Irpino.
Contents
Geography and Towns
The Province of Avellino covers about 2,806 square kilometers (1,083 square miles). In 2012, about 427,310 people lived here. The province has 118 different towns, called comuni. The biggest towns are Avellino and Ariano Irpino.
This province is located inland, which means it does not touch the sea.
History of Irpinia
.jpg)
The old name for this area was "Hirpinia." This name comes from the Oscan word hirpus, which means "wolf." Wolves still live in this area today, but there are fewer of them.
You can find many old Roman sites in the Province of Avellino. The most important one is Aeclanum. Later, in the Middle Ages, the County of Ariano was a very important place. It was the first political area set up by the Normans in Southern Italy in 1022.
In 1140, Roger II created the Assizes of Ariano here. This was the first set of laws for the Kingdom of Sicily. Roger II was crowned King of Sicily in the Cathedral of Avellino in 1130. The modern province was formed in 1860, after Italy became one country.
Main Sights and Attractions
There are many interesting places to visit in the Province of Avellino. You can see the Sanctuaries of Montevergine and San Gerardo Maiella of Caposele. There is also the San Francesco a Folloni.
If you like winter sports, there's a ski resort called Laceno. You can also explore the Norman Castle and the Cathedral Church in Ariano Irpino. For history buffs, there are ancient Roman sites at Avella and Aeclanum. Don't miss the Lancellotti castle in Lauro or the medieval town of Gesualdo. You can also see Roman ruins of Abellinum and an early Christian church in Prata.
The Selachoidei National Gallery in Avellino has one of the country's largest collections of fishes with cartilage skeletons.
For nature lovers, there are two large parks: the Monti Piacentini and Partenio Regional Park. The WWF also protects two areas: Valle della Caccia in Senerchia and the area around the Ofanto dam in Conza della Campania.
Local Cuisine and Products
The Province of Avellino is famous for its delicious local products. About one-third of all the hazelnuts in Italy come from here! They also grow special chestnuts in Montella.
The province is well-known for its excellent wines, such as Aglianico, Taurasi, Greco, and Fiano. Other tasty products include cherries, different kinds of cheeses (like the caciocavallo of Montella), the black truffle from Bagnoli Irpino, and olive oil from Ariano Irpino.
Images for kids
-
The Norman Castle within lush greenery in Ariano Irpino.
See also
In Spanish: Provincia de Avellino para niños
