Bonito
Welcome to Bonito!
Hello everyone and welcome to Bonito, a beautiful municipality in the province of Avellino, Campania, with a population of 2216 inhabitants. But what do you need to know about this stunning city? Keep reading to discover its geography, territory, climate, and fascinating history.
Physical Geography
The city center of Bonito is located on the left side of the Ufita valley, on the southeastern slopes of Mount Calvario and at the border with the province of Benevento. It is connected to Ariano Irpino and Avellino, and is located under the Benevento court. The municipality covers 18.6 square kilometers and has a population density of 144 inhabitants per square kilometer.
Territory
Bonito is a medieval hill village in a territory known in ancient times for its fertility, with a predominantly rural local economy. The municipal center, located on a rocky spur, hosts almost half of the total population, while the rest of the community is distributed in various localities such as Grieci and Morroni and scattered houses on the land. Bonito's hilly territory is characterized by rows of vines and crops, surface waters, vast pastures, and lush riparian vegetation. Although they are no longer present as they once were, Bonito was once home to several species of wading birds. In the background of the municipal coat of arms, granted by Decree of the Head of Government, there is a golden band accompanied by six half lilies, arranged three above and three below the band.
Climate
The climate of Bonito is described by the writer Federico Cassitto in 1834: "In a year, 90 perfectly clear days are counted, as many rainy days, and the most between clouds, and various. Winter lasts from December to February. The snow remains on the hills for a maximum of three days. All of this has been compared based on climatic data from several decades of meteorological observations."
History
The history of Bonito dates back to the 10th century when the Lombards built the "Castrum Boneti" for defensive purposes in the border area between the county of Ariano and the duchy of Benevento. Passed to the Normans in the following century, the city suffered an earthquake in 1125 that damaged it severely. In the Angevin period, it was subject to the local Bonito family and sold to the Orsini in 1445, later passing to the Pisaniello in 1648. It then returned under the Bonito family in 1674, only to be seriously damaged by the Sannio earthquake of 1688 and the Irpinia earthquake of 1732. In 1757, under the Bourbons, it was annexed to the royal domain.
In summary, Bonito is a charming town with an ancient and exciting history. The people here are very friendly and the landscape is nothing short of spectacular. We can't wait to welcome you on an unforgettable journey through the Irpinian hills.
