Sorbo Serpico
Sorbo Serpico: a secret treasure in the Salzola Valley
Sorbo Serpico is a municipality located in the province of Avellino, in the Campania region of Italy. With a population of 532 people, it is easily accessible from both the city of Avellino and the surrounding towns. Despite its small and relatively unknown status, Sorbo Serpico boasts many hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
Discovering the beauty of the area
One of the main reasons to visit Sorbo Serpico is its stunning location. Situated at an elevation of 807 meters above sea level in the valley of the Salzola creek, the town offers an incredible natural landscape to explore, featuring gentle hills and dense chestnut forests.
A brief history of the town
Sorbo Serpico has a rich and ancient history. Its first settlement was built on Mount Serpico, on the fortifications of Abellinum, and took its name from the temple of Serapis. Historical records show that the village was established as a casale belonging to Compsa by 901. During the Norman period, it was ruled by the counts of Avellino. Later on, it became a feudal property of the Gesualdo, Galeota, and Della Marra families, before being devastated by the plague in 1656. This event led to the founding of Sorbo-Serpico, a new village built further down the slope, causing the original center of Serpico to gradually become uninhabited. The Brancaccio family held the feudal property of Sorbo Serpico until its abolition. During the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, the town was part of the Avellino District.
The symbols of Sorbo Serpico
The town's coat of arms and banner were granted by the President of the Republic in 2004.
A cultural heritage to be explored
The ruins of the ancient castle of Sorbo Serpico are located on Mount Serpico, surrounded by lush vegetation. The parish church of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, built in the 16th century and located in the town center, is one of the most important buildings. It features frescoes attributed to Francesco Solimena and Michele Ricciardi, a baroque altar attributed to Cosimo Fanzago, a wooden Christ attributed to Venuti, and a coffered wooden ceiling. The 17th-century Brancaccio family palace, located in the town center, houses the 18th-century chapel of the Holy Annunciation. On a hill overlooking the village, there is the 18th-century chapel of the Madonna della Neve.
The society of Sorbo Serpico
The town has a strong agricultural tradition, producing typical vegetables and fruits of the Irpinia region. In the 20th century, like many other southern Italian towns, Sorbo Serpico saw many of its inhabitants emigrate to the major industrial regions of Italy and Europe.
Lastly, a tribute to the language and dialect
In addition to Italian, the Irpino dialect is still used in the municipal territory of Sorbo Serpico. This is just one more reason to visit our town, learn something new, and experience the authentic and deeply-rooted side of Irpinia.
