Campania

Pietro nel mondo

Avellino Benevento Caserta Naples Salerno

Campania struck me for cities rich in history, food, folklore, monuments and archaeological areas, but above all the passion that you can breathe in this welcoming people wherever you go. I have been several times in this region, often a guest, but I still have many territories to explore, in particular the Sannio, Irpinia and Cilento which are the naturalistic part of Campania. Here it is easy to eat well; among my favorite dishes the aubergine Parmigiana, the Gnocchi alla Sorrentina, the Neapolitan Pizza and finally sweet and rum together to form the exquisite Babà. The wines from Campania are excellent in particular those from the province of Avellino; among the reds I point out the Aglianico di Montefusco, while among the whites the Falanghina which in the sparkling version is among the best wines in the world, at least for me.

Province of Benevento

Area: 2080,44 Km² Municipalities: 78

travel stories...

Montesarchio

I have been twice in this large center of the Caudina Valley, always a guest of relatives who made the trip unforgettable by taking me to discover every corner of Montesarchio. Starting from the hill where the Tower and the Castle are located, now home to the Archaeological Museum of Sannio Caudino, I visited and understood thanks to the wise guidance of my cousin who was then the guardian of the fortress; impressive are the dungeons where the Bourbons held the patriot Carlo Poerio prisoner. From up there, the view is spectacular and overlooks the valley as far as Mount Taburno. Going down towards the center you will find the Franciscan Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, after which you cross the charming old part with its narrow alleys paved with cobblestones. Further down to the heart of the city which is Piazza Umberto I with the fountain in the center which is illuminated in the evening. Lights that were not lacking on the night of August with stalls and fireworks. I conclude by saying that in these days I have also delighted the palate thanks to my cousin's home cooking.

Sant'Agata dè Goti

I was accompanied by my cousin to visit this town at the foot of Mount Taburno. Leaving the car in the parking lot in via Caudina we visit the Church of San, Menna; on the entrance portal an inscription in Latin admonishes the faithful to repent of their sins. I certainly do not regret this visit to one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. We then take the road that leads to the Roman bridge over the Martorano river. And here, from the narrow sidewalk on the parapet of the bridge, you can admire a breathtaking view with the houses overlooking the ravine. Then in the evening, when everything is illuminated it seems to live in an enchanting nativity scene. After taking the usual photos, let's go back to enter the historic center.

Benevento

An evening spent in Benevento was not enough to discover all the beauty of this city. But it is enough to lose your head when at the top of the avenue of the same name you find yourself in front of the illuminated Arch of Trajan. All around there are squares with Palazzi Gentilizi full of charm like the one that belonged to the Rotondi Andreotti Leo family; Baroque churches such as that of Santa Lucia or the ancient Lombard Church of Sant'Ilario. Finally, a relaxing walk to admire a Unesco world heritage site: at the top of a beautiful square, past a tower and an obelisk, I find myself in front of the Church of Santa Sofia and here I give this city a future appointment for new emotions.

Province of Napoli

Area: 1171 Km² Municipalities: 92

travel stories...

Naples: Castel dell'Ovo

Walking along the Lungomare Caracciolo, with your eyes delighted by the Gulf of Naples and Vesuvius in the background, you lose the notion of time but not your appetite. After a pizza to please the palate I continue the walk up to a bridge with an ancient paving. From there you enter Castel dell'Ovo. This fortress built directly on the sea can be turned both inside and outside the mighty walls that are illuminated in the evening. Inside it is bare of furnishings but it is pleasant to take a photo in front of the cannons that threaten the loopholes that overlook the city. I conclude the visit to this splendid castle first looking at Vesuvius, then at the view of the gulf with Capri and Ischia in the background, and finally with a last look at the city of Naples above which a beautiful sunset stands out.

Pompeii

Guest by some relatives, I was accompanied in the morning to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Pompei, an imposing church built in the second half of the nineteenth century. Then, after a thirst-quenching granita on a hot day in late June, we arrived at the archaeological site. The excavation area is really huge and it takes a whole day to go around it all. Starting from Porta Marina you pass through the Forum with the Basilica on the right, which was not a religious building, but a court where justice was administered in Roman times. On the left, surrounded by columns, the Temple of Apollo and further on the Temple of Jupiter. Then walking along the Via dell'Abbondanza I was amazed to see the state of conservation of the frescoes of the Roman houses, finally sitting on the steps of the Amphitheater I closed my eyes and imagined the life of two thousand years ago.

Naples: Lungomare Caracciolo

On one of my rare train journeys, I arrived at the Central Station. Out here, at the top of the large square is the monument statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi. After a few photos of the hero of two worlds, I took the bus towards Mergellina. I got off at the Piedigrotta stop and crossed the beautiful Piazza Sanazzaro with the Fountain of the Siren Parthenope in the center, the ancient Greek name of the city. From there I headed to the port where the Lungomare Caracciolo begins, the most famous promenade in Naples; famous and characteristic where you can meet funny characters such as the Pulcinella mask.