Altavilla Irpina
Altavilla Irpina: an ancient city in Campania
Altavilla Irpina is an Italian municipality in the province of Avellino, in the Campania region. It is situated on three hills (Torone, Ripa, and Foresta) that oversee the Vellola Valley and the San Giulio stream. With a population of 3952 people, the town spreads uniformly to the south and east from the historic center, offering breathtaking views of the Toro, San Mango, and Sassano mountain ridges.
History
The origins of Altavilla date back to ancient times. Some believe that Publius Vergilius Maro mentioned the settlement in the Aeneid as "Poetilia". Later, in 1882, Giovanni Verga set his novel "Il marito di Elena" in the city. The first historical evidence dates back to the castle known as "Altacauda", which was present in the municipal territory during the Lombard era.
After various events, in the twelfth century, the city fell under Norman domination; subsequently, the inhabited area was included in the fiefdom of the De Capua family, and the city took the name of "Altavilla". From then on, the historical events of the municipality followed those of the surrounding territory and national history.
Symbols
The coat of arms and the flag of Altavilla Irpina were granted by the President of the Republic on September 11, 2017. The flag is divided into yellow and green.
Monuments and places of interest
Altavilla Irpina is home to numerous monuments and places of interest. Among these are the Comital Palace (also known as "Baronal Palace"), the D'Agostino Palace, the Salerno Palace, the Caruso Palace, the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta (dating back to the eighteenth century), the Church of the Annunciation (fourteenth-fifteenth century), the sulfur mines, the Museum of People Without History, the Museum in the birthplace of Saint Alberico Crescitelli, the Castle Foot Fountain, and the Imprint of San Bernardino.
Society
Demographic evolution
Ethnic groups and foreign minorities
As of December 31, 2017, there were 102 foreigners living in the municipality of Altavilla Irpina, with the largest group being 56 Romanians.
Languages and dialects
In Altavilla Irpina, a variety of the Irpinian dialect is spoken alongside the Italian language.
Emigration
Emigration from Altavilla Irpina began with the Unification of Italy when the social and economic rules of Piedmont determined the fate of Southern Italy. The first wave of migration, from the 1870s, was interrupted by the First World War. The emigrants of those years found it difficult to maintain relationships with their families and their land of origin.
In summary, Altavilla Irpina is a Campanian municipality with ancient origins, characterized by numerous monuments and places of interest, and a variety of the Irpinian dialect as the local language. A history of emigration that has marked the destiny and future of the city.
