Montefalcione is a hilly town located near Avellino, at about 560 meters above sea level. The city runs along the ridge that divides the basins of the rivers Sabato and Calore. Its residential complex is surrounded by urbanized fertile fields, where fruit trees, cereals, grapes (Aglianico di Taurasi and Fiano di Avellino) and olive trees and thick woods of chestnut and oak grow. Moreover, on its territory there is a source of water, already known since the ancient times for the treatment of kidney problems.
Montefalcione, like most of Irpinia land, was characterised by the presence of Italic ancient civilizations, such as Etruscans, Samnites and Romans, as various archaeological findings of great importance (consisting of inscriptions, vases, coins and tombs) testify.
Futhermore, the rests of the medieval village, dating back to the struggles between the Lombards and Normans, with its castle(built on the highest point of the hill, to ensure safe shelter to people who lived in scattered hamlets, easily attacked) are still evident.
The nucleus of the new country was born not far from the castle, allowed the construction of the first religious and civil buildings.
Sites of Interest:
- The old town center, built near the castle, dating from the eleventh century;
- Porta Ripa, gateway to the medieval village dating from the twelfth century;
- The Norman tower of the eleventh century, now fully incorporated into the urban fabric;
- The inscription "of the 10 p", a symbol of the town, dating from the eleventh century;
- Profico fountain, dating from the thirteenth century;
- The Church of San Giovanni Battista, dating back to the sixteenth century, with a stone portal topped by a half-lunette and flanked by a square bell tower of the twentieth century. Next to it, there was a hospital-monastery.
- The Church of Sant'Antonio Abate, dating from the twelfth century and built outside the town. It preserves a precious silver chalice;
- The Church and Convent of Our Lady of Loreto (XV century), inside the church is preserved the tomb of Saint Lucretia by Montefalcione, built by her sons in 1593;
- The thirteenth-century Benedictine monastery, founded by monks of the Abbey of Montevergine, today is the town hall and preserves valuable historical and artistic furnishings and decorations;
- The former Hospital of Pellegrini (XVI century).