Volturara Irpina

Discovering Volturara Irpina

Hello everyone, today I'm going to talk to you about Volturara Irpina, a town of 2,985 inhabitants in the province of Avellino in Campania. I will guide you through the physical geography, monuments, culture, and economy of this splendid place.

Physical Geography

Volturara Irpina covers an area of 32 km² on the Picentini Mountains at the foot of Mount Terminio. The area is characterized by several peaks such as Cretazzuolo, Costa, Calcara di Alessio, Valle dei Lupi, and Tuoro. The city center is surrounded by small springs and perennial water sources, such as "Acque delle Logge," "Acqua degli Uccelli," and "Acqua del Cerchio." In the beech forests, snow remains for approximately 90 to 120 days during the winter period and represents a rich reserve of water for the deeper layers. Volturara is located in an area of ​​great natural and environmental interest.

Volturara Irpina: Treasures and Nature in the Picentini Mountains.

Monuments and Places of Interest

The city center is home to the Basilica of San Nicola, the most important place of worship in Volturara. Inside, there is a majestic organ donated by American migrants in memory of their origins and built in 2007 by master organ builder Alessandro Girotto.

Society

Volturara Irpina has experienced continuous migration due to the lack of secure work. From 5,000 inhabitants in 1951, it has decreased to 3,401 inhabitants in 2011. Today, the language spoken in Volturara is mainly the Irpinian dialect.

Culture

The Ethnographic Museum of Piana del Dragone is a cultural point of interest worth visiting. The museum collects ancient objects that testify to daily life in the past.

Economy

The chestnut groves are all privately owned and cover 345.5 hectares. Chestnut cultivation is an important economic activity for the area.

Conclusion

Volturara Irpina is a beautiful place to discover and appreciate. Its enchanting location on the Picentini Mountains and its fascinating history will leave you speechless. Visit the Basilica of San Nicola, take a trip to the Ethnographic Museum of Piana del Dragone, and admire the nature around you. I guarantee it will be worth it!

Francesco Serra
Updated Friday, Sep 9, 2022