Bagnoli Irpino
Bagnoli Irpino: a town rich in history and natural beauty
If you are looking for a charming place to spend a vacation surrounded by nature, Bagnoli Irpino is the right place for you. This Italian municipality, which has a population of approximately 2990 inhabitants, is located in the province of Avellino, in Campania, and is known mainly for its splendid Laceno lake.
Physical geography
Bagnoli Irpino is located at the foot of the Picentini mountains, and its highest mountains are Mount Cervialto, "Rajamagra", and Mount Cervarolo. Additionally, the municipality boasts the Laceno plateau, which hosts a karstic lake, the Caliendo Caves and some small springs that provide water to the municipal aqueduct.
History
Bagnoli Irpino is part of the historical region of Irpinia and has ancient origins dating back to around 1000 BC when the first inhabitants arrived at the Irpino Calore sources under the guidance of the hirpus (i.e., the wolf, in Oscan language). Following the conquest of the Sannio by the Romans, the town was dominated by the Lombards and their castle around the year 870. Later, with the arrival of the Normans, around 1000, the town reunited, combining all its hamlets. In 1450, the arrival of the Cavaniglia, who acquired the county of Montella, gave new impetus to the city, not only in craftsmanship (the silk of Bagnoli is famous), but also in the arts.
Society
Demographic evolution
Over the years, the population of Bagnoli Irpino has remained almost constant, currently standing at around 2990 inhabitants.
Languages and dialects
In Bagnoli Irpino, in addition to Italian, a variety of Irpinian dialect is spoken.
Monuments and places of interest
Mother Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta
The Mother Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta, located in the historic center of the town, is one of the most important monuments of Bagnoli Irpino. Datable around 900, this Latin cross church with three aisles suffered a fire in 1651 that completely destroyed it. The subsequent reconstruction resulted in length transformation into width, with the addition of numerous works of art. Among these, the wooden choir depicting scenes from the Old and New Testament was declared a national monument in 1912. This extraordinary wood sculpture was executed between 1651 and 1657 by numerous individuals, including the carvers Scipione Infante, Gian Domenico Vecchia and Giovan Angelo Vecchia, and the master carver-sculptor Iacopo Bonavita, known as "Il Capoccia". The choir is divided into 19 stalls, with reliefs relieved in the rock of the columns representing the main facts of the Old Testament and low reliefs placed in the mirrors of the stalls depicting those of the New Testament. Everything was executed entirely in walnut wood, with the XIX stall low relief showing the date of 1653 and the monogram of Iacopo Bonavita of Lauro.
If you want to visit this magnificent town, Bagnoli Irpino is the ideal place. Here you can spend moments of relaxation surrounded by nature, discover its rich history and admire the beauty of its monumental heritage. We can't wait to welcome you to Bagnoli Irpino!
