Something about Ariano

Informations about the city:

	Something ancient - the history of Ariano Irpino At a height of 817 mt over the sea level Ariano Irpino is pratically centered between the Adriatic Sea and the Tirrenian Sea. He's part of the provincia of Avellino, and it's the city with major territorial extension of all the Campania. Ariano is built over three hills, and for that reason it is also known as Città del Tricolle (City of the Three Hills). It's origins are very ancient, the first inhabitated site of the land is in fact neolitic (circa 7000 b.C.) which continues to be inhabitated until 900 b.C.. Succesively a row of the brave Sanniti - the Hirpi, the warriors of the wolf - foundates Aequum Tuticum; a site which within years becomes roman and a very important stradal node (which still continues to be), in the crossing between the Traiana road and the Herculeia road. The decadency of Aequum Tuticum arrives with the first barbaric invasions. And this way the three hills start to be inhabitated, a high and easily defendable place, and it's here that Ariano is born, fortified city in a strategic position; today it's ancient and imponent defensive walls are still recognizable and are part of the city. In a secure place away from the invasions of Goti and Bizantini, Ariano becomes a fortified city of the Longobardi. Around 1000 a.D. it is build the Castle to defend the city against the Greek domains which, also if a little bit wrecked, pridely stands into the big and green Villa Comunale. Successively conquered by the Normans, in 1140 a.D. it's the place where are emanated, by Ruggiero II D'Altavilla called The Norman, the Assise of Ariano, the new costitution of the Regno delle Due Sicilie. This law corpus will be adopted almost integrally and with a few variations into the Costituzioni Melfitane of Federico II. In the same year it is conied the Ducato, coin that will last for 7 centuries, until 1860 a.D. It starts here a unhappy period, in which Ariano is sacked and devastated by the man and the earthquakes. In 1255 a.D. Manfredi di Svevia - son of Federico II - assediates the city which resists strongly thanks to its walls and the combative nature of the inhabitants. During the assediation a group of soldiers from Lucera pretends to be disertors of Manfredi's army, and they are welcomed into the city. During the night they reveal their double face, sacking and destroyng the city with the fire, also killing all the inhabitants. There's still a road in memory of that tragic event, called La Carnale (The Carnal). More than ten years later, in 1266 a.D., Carlo I D'Angiò rebuilds the city and he gives it two thorns of the crown of Christ, still conserved into a reliquiary into the city's romanic Cathedral. All this happenings are represented every year in the Rievocazione Storica del Dono delle Sante Spine (Historian Rievocation of the Gift of the Sacred Thorns) and in the reproduction of the Incendio del Campanile, pirotecnic event that daylights the main square of the city and the relative side of the Cathedral. Ended the reing of the Angioini, the city passes in the hands of the Provenzale dei Desambramo family from 1294 a.D. to 1413 a.D.; and then in the hands of the Carafa and of the Gonzaga. Still today are there in the city buildings that were of the spanish families which governed at that time. The 2nd of August 1545 a.D. the city rebels itself against the feudal regyme, it becomes Città Regia (City of the Reign) and depends by this moment from the Viceré del Regno delle Due Sicilie. Later, in 1868, the city takes the name of Ariano di Puglia which lasts until 1930, when it changes its name again in that is the actual one: Ariano Irpino. For further informations it is possible to visit the sites of the Comune or of the city's Portal. Here instead there are all the information needed to find us. Something big - the PalAriano The city has got a 2000 places Palazzetto dello Sport, supplied not only - and obviously - for every type of sport, but also for the unwinding of concerts, meetings and public shows; rich also of artistic works in the immense lobby and in the conferences room. The planning of the events in the PalAriano (the official name) is very thick, so that a new program goes out regularly every month, and with a lot of posters placed all around the roads of the town. Inside the locals of the PalAriano (how it is called!) have been taken place recently two meetings of the Female European Basket Championship and the finals of the National Table Tennis Championship. For further infos click here or visit the official site. Something precious - the Maiolica Fine and longed for in all the Campania, but appreciated also in the remainder of Italy and even abroad, is the maiolic production of Ariano. We've got manufacts already from the XIII century, but Ariano Irpino's maiolic start to become more and more raffinate around the XVIII century, when the first amphoras and pitchers appear, often simple in the shape, but thinly elaborated. Today's production is more than ever huge, including flask, busts, cups, plates, figures, amphoras..  All pieces are splendidly decorated by the craftsmen of Ariano, and often they've got a fine and elaborated shape. A huge repertory of ancients maiolics of Ariano is conserved in the Civic Museum of the city; a big photographic repertory is consultable here. Something like - more events like AIT A lot more are the events and the shows which take place in Ariano, organized time by time by the comune or by private citizens. Here in the following the biggest and more important: Estate Arianese (Ariano's Summer): more than an entire month of events, programmed day by day, for a summer to be lived intensely. Info Rievocazione Storica del Dono delle Sante Spine (Historian Rievocation of the Gift of the Sacred Thorns): two days of parade in ancient clothing along the city's streets remembering the events of 1255 and 1266. Info Vicoli ed Arte (Alleys and Art): three days discovering craftsmanship, gastronomy and tradition along the medieval walls of the city. Info Ariano Folk Festival: five days of pure and only folk music, an event with national relevance which sees to pass 5000 people a day. Site JazzAriano: an evening in the square and all the best bands of Ariano, mixing voice, sax and enjoyment, well... doing jazz. Info La Corrida Irpina (the Corrida of Irpinia): improbable artists on the stage, and all of local production. Site Tre Giorni ad Ariano nel Centro Storico (Three Days in Ariano in the Historical Center): shows, museums and journeys in the city. Info Aspettando Natale (Waiting Christmas): five days of fairs, parades and animation. Info TradAriano: Art, tradition, craftsmanship and folklore. Site Re e Regina per un'Estate (King and Queen for a Summer): beauty contest which chooses the most wonderful man and the most wonderful woman of the summers of Ariano. And many more... For further infos click here. Something else - restaurants and hotels For a listing of the restaurants, agritourisms and hotels of Ariano click here. Back