Bisaccia
Introducing Bisaccia, the medieval town in Avellino province
Hello friends! Today I want to tell you about a little gem in Campania: Bisaccia. Located in the province of Avellino, this town has medieval origins, although archaeological excavations have revealed that the area was already inhabited in the 10th century BC.
Physical geography
Bisaccia is located on a hill that extends in a north-south direction. The hill is mainly composed of a type of conglomerate and clay rock. On the north side, Bisaccia overlooks the vast area of Calaggio. The town is situated on a circle of land, wedged in the Calli area and bordered to the east and west by two clayey depressions: Vallone dei Corvi and Vallone dei Ferrelli.
Climate
The climate is quite rigid due to the altitude (860 meters) and the marked continental nature of Irpinia.
History
Bisaccia has a long history that begins in the Bronze Age. Recent archaeological excavations have uncovered traces of huts dating back to the Middle Bronze Age and in the 9th century BC, the civilization of Oliveto-Cairano founded villages in Cairano and Bisaccia.
During the pre-Roman era, Bisaccia was populated by the Sannitic tribe of the Irpini. In the 1st century, the territory of the Irpini was separated from Sannio and aggregated into Regio II Apulia et Calabria; several years later, several Irpinian cities were aggregated into the province of Campania.
In 591, the Lombards conquered Irpinia and Bisaccia became part of the gastaldato of Conza, within the duchy of Benevento.
Medieval period
During the Middle Ages, Bisaccia was ruled by the Lombards until the arrival of the Normans, who conquered the entire gastaldato of Conza.
Fun facts
- Bisaccia is located on the path of the Via Francigena and on the path of the Cammino di San Michele.
- Bisaccia is the birthplace of Giuseppe Avossa, one of the pioneers of air conditioning.
- The town has a long-standing milling tradition; in the 18th century, the ancestors of the owners of the present-day mill built the first nuclei of the current building, which over the years has been expanded and transformed into a water mill.
- Every year, Bisaccia celebrates a very important procession, that of the Madonna del Piano, in August.
I hope I have intrigued you! Bisaccia is a truly enchanting town, rich in history and curiosity. If you have the opportunity to visit it, you won't be disappointed.
