Forino among churches, mountain trails and Marrone di Santa Cristina

Forino combines wooded mountain areas with hills and plains. The southwestern part of the Forino area belongs to the Natura 2000 network and includes the Sites of Community Importance Pietra Maula and Monti di Lauro.

Churches and historic buildings

The first record of the Chiesa di Santo Stefano in the Palazzo district dates from September 1228. The church has a single-nave layout, six side altars and late Baroque elements from the 18th century.

The Chiesa del Santissimo Rosario was built in the 17th century or possibly even earlier. It contains valuable 18th-century paintings by Vincenzo De Mita and the Vegliante. The Torre civica replaced the former bell tower of the Chiesa del Rosario.

The Torre civica was built by Girolamo Iacuzio in 1882 and over time became one of the symbols of Forino’s more recent past. The Convento padri passionisti also has a clearly documented development: construction began in 1958, and it became habitable in 1963–64. A chapel in front of the convent houses a statue of San Paolo della Croce. The Passionist foundation in Forino, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, was established as early as 1949.

Among the oldest churches in the Forino area are the Chiesa di San Felicissimo di Petruro and the Chiesa di San Nicola in Castello.

Mountain trails and local features

A mountain trail leads to the Grotta di San Michele on the Monti Faliesi. In Forino, the “Collina di San Nicola” route is also designated as a hiking trail; on Monte Faliesi, the “Sentiero dell’Angiolo” is designated as a hiking trail.

One culinary feature of Forino is the Marrone di Santa Cristina PAT. This is a distinctive chestnut variety produced in the areas of Forino and Moschiano.

Festivals and practical information

The celebrations in honor of San Nicola and San Luigi include a solemn procession for San Nicola on Sunday, August 10. The 17th edition of “Sera Passaie” was scheduled to take place from August 17 to August 20, 2024, in Forino’s historic center as a four-day event featuring music, art and gastronomy.

For travel by car, the nearest motorway exit to Forino is Avellino Est, approximately 12 km away. When choosing a hotel in Forino, you can distinguish between churches and architectural history, the “Collina di San Nicola” and “Sentiero dell’Angiolo” trails, landscapes, or Marrone di Santa Cristina as thematic focuses.

For further regional orientation, you can also explore Cairano, Monteforte Irpino, Montemiletto, Lauro, Torre Le Nocelle, Flumeri, Orneta and Villamaina.

For the broader travel overview: Avellino.