Calitri
Welcome to Calitri: history, name origin, and physical geography
Welcome to Calitri, a municipality located in the province of Avellino, in Campania, with a population of approximately 4256 inhabitants. The city is also known as "Calìtrë" in Irpinian dialect. One of Calitri's landmarks is its geographical location: the city is located on a hill at 601 meters in Irpinia, on the border with Basilicata. The municipal territory is crossed by the Ofanto river and its three tributaries: Ficocchia, Cortino and Orata.
History of Calitri
Calitri has a fascinating history and the first traces of human presence in the area date back to the Neolithic era. However, Calitri only became a true urban settlement from the 13th century onwards. during the Middle Ages, Calitri was one of the many centers subjected to Lombard administration first and then Normans and Hohenstaufen. During Norman domination, the feud of Calitri was entrusted to the Balvano, while under the reign of Frederick II of Swabia it belonged to the royal demesne.
In 1304 Calitri passed to the Gesualdo, princes of Venosa who had it for three centuries. With the Gesualdo family, Calitri experienced its golden age and the ancient castle was transformed into a sumptuous noble residence. After the Gesualdo, Calitri passed to the Ludovisi who in 1676 ceded it to the Mirelli family. During the earthquake of Irpinia and Basilicata in 1694, the castle of Calitri was completely destroyed and Prince Mirelli died. The survivors of the Mirelli family opted to abandon the ruins on top of the hill, rebuilding the baronial palace further downstream.
After the unification of Italy, the history of Calitri is mixed with that of many other centers in southern Italy: brigandage, emigration, baronial estate, struggles for land distribution. In 1861 it was conquered and liberated by the men of the brigand Basilicata Carmine Crocco, together with Aquilonia, Conza della Campania and Sant'Andrea di Conza.
Origin of the name
The toponym Calitri has an uncertain origin. According to a first hypothesis, the name would derive from an ancient Mediterranean root "gal" meaning "stronghold". Others, on the other hand, connect it to the ancient Ligurian language "Caletranus Ager" attested in the distant territory of Luni. According to another line of thinking, the toponym would rather derive from the ancient pre-Latin name "(galatro)" of a very common plant in the area, the Avena sterilis.
Seismicity
Calitri, already the epicenter of the Irpinia earthquake of 1910, is an integral part of the seismic district of Irpinia. Its seismic classification is zone 1 (high seismicity).
Conclusions
Calitri is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, with a rich historical past and a unique geographical position. The city is an ideal place for those who are looking for adventure and want to experience the local culture and gastronomy. Do not hesitate to visit Calitri if you have the opportunity to do so.
