Discover Ariano Irpino: Castle Hill, Museums and Trails
Accommodation in Ariano Irpino
Ariano Irpino is home to the Norman Castle, several museums and trails with historical connections. From Castle Hill, the structure and the surrounding valleys form a shared landscape in Ariano Irpino. The Norman Castle stands at the summit of the hill of the same name, in the highest part of the town offering the widest views, and overlooks the valleys of the Ufita, Miscano and Cervaro.
File:Castello di Ariano Irpino - torrione sud.jpg
Photo: Antonio De Capua via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Castle Hill, Park and Urban History
The Norman Castle has a trapezoidal layout and four towers with conical frustum-shaped tops. Villa Comunale, a public park, is also located on Colle Castello.
One focus of the town's history is the Museo Civico e della Ceramica, housed in the historic Palazzo Forte and home to more than 250 objects. The majolica collection spans the period from the 14th century to the present day. The same museum documents eleven kilns and around 29 craftspeople engaged in different activities.
The Museo Archeologico, also known as the Antiquarium, displays finds from excavations throughout the Valle del Miscano area. The Museo Diocesano's collection includes a bust of Diomede Carafa, the Bishop of Ariano, dated 1538; the museum also offers a virtual 3D tour. The Museo degli Argenti includes a missal belonging to Bishop Giovanni Saverio Pirelli from 1795.
The Museo Giuseppina Arcucci houses archival documents of the Cassinese Benedictine nuns of Ariano from 1565 to 1877, as well as handicrafts from the Philippine mission of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit. The Museo della Civiltà Normanna displays a collection of coins and weapons, as well as a large model of the Battle of Hastings from 1066. The large model supplements the collection of coins and weapons with a depiction of the Battle of Hastings. The Aequum Tuticum archaeological site is located in Sant’Eleuterio, in the northern part of the municipality of Ariano Irpino.
Landscape and Trails around Ariano Irpino
Ariano Irpino lies on the northern slope of the Valle dell'Ufita. The Ufita River and the Cervaro stream cross Ariano Irpino. These two waterways are just as much part of the landscape as the valleys visible from the Norman Castle.
Ariano Irpino has the nature trail “Tra gli storici uliveti” and the trail “Sulle vie del grano”. The Regio Tratturo Pescasseroli-Candela is presented as a historic route from Ariano Irpino.
Orientation for Different Needs
The Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta has an entrance ramp providing wheelchair users with easy access. The Museo Giuseppina Arcucci has a step-free entrance on the ground floor and a lift to the upper floors.
For further travel planning, also discover Lacedonia, Montefusco, Castelvetere Sul Calore, Grottaminarda, Pietradefusi, Trevico, Quadrelle and Cairano.
For the higher-level travel overview: Avellino.
