Atripalda

Faith and folklore in the heart of Irpinia

Irpinia is famous for caciocavallo and its DOCG wines, but it is also a land dear to pilgrims from all over Italy. In addition to hosting numerous shrines, one of which is that of Our Lady of Montevergine who guarded the Holy Shroud during the Second World War, it boasts a very suggestive Lenten appointment: the Via Crucis of Atripalda.

Known as “Elì, Elì, Lemà Sabactàni?”, this sacred representation in period costume celebrates the passion of Christ with an evening procession in which the entire community of the Sabbath Valley participates, the river that crosses the Irpinia town. The last moments of Jesus' life are evoked in the historic center and then conclude on the hill of San Pasquale.

Even if you can't attend this famous Good Friday ritual, you can arrange a visit to the city for a wine tasting in the cellars of local wineries.  

Also stop by nearby Avellino where you can visit the Invertebrate Zoological Museum, the only one of its kind in Italy, with collections of endangered insects, Campania shells and butterflies from all continents. True chicca the naturalistic film library.