Ariano Irpino

Ariano Irpino is a town in Campania.

The Three Knolls of Ariano Irpino

Understand

Ariano Irpino lies upon the Irpinian Apennines and is almost centred between the Adriatic Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its population is roughly 22,500 and its elevation is 778 metres (2,552 ft) above sea level, which brings the town a mild climate in summer and some snow in winter. Formerly called just Ariano, it was built on three hills, for which it is also known as Città del Tricolle (City of the Three Knolls).

The official and most widely spoken language in Ariano Irpino is Italian. A variety of Irpinian dialect (similar to Neapolitan) is used too. English is the most commonly spoken foreign language, although the average knowledge of English is far from excellent.

Get in

By plane

From the airport you can take an AIR bus for €5. You should buy your ticket at a bar or a kiosk specifying the destination ("Ariano Irpino"). There are several AIR buses on working days and Saturdays, but only a few on Sundays.

By train

Ariano Irpino station is 6 km far away from the town; there is only a train a day for/by Rome or Bari. No taxy and only a few buses are available.

You should prefer getting at 🌍 Napoli Centrale and taking an AIR bus for/by Ariano Irpino. You can also get at Foggia train station and there take an AIR bus for Ariano Irpino, but only on working days.

By bus

AIR daily connects the town with Naples, Avellino, Benevento and, on working days, Foggia too. Several companies (Caputo bus, Marozzi, Caruccio) connect the town with Rome-Tiburtina train station, but only Caputo bus arrives right at the Ariano Irpino terminal, while the others stop in the suburbs only.

Bartolini connects the town with Central-Northern Italy's cities every other day.

By car

Ariano Irpino is directly connected with the A16 highway by Grottaminarda junction. The trip takes generally less than 2 hours from/to Naples or Bari, and at most 3 hours from/to Rome. Alternatively you can follow the SS 90 road for Foggia and take there the A14 highway for Pescara-Bologna.

Get around

Except at peak hours, traffic is flowing and parking is easy and cheap. Most distances in the historic centre are small and can be walked in a matter of minutes: only remember to always look left for incoming cars or motorbikes, since circulation follows European standards. The bus terminal is a 10-minute walk-away, but you can conveniently use the intermediate stops.

There is also "Circolare", an urban bus service that connects all points of the town (except the train station), but the frequency is poor (1 every hour on weekdays, 1 every 2 hours on holidays); you will pay €1,20 if you buy the ticket onboard the bus, but only €1 if you buy it at an authorized selling point or tobacco shops (Tabaccheria, easily identified by a big white "T" on a rectangular black field). In any case the validity is one hour.

See

Despite wars and earthquakes the town retains several historic buildings and ancient sights.

  • 🌍 Cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta). The Romanesque cathedral preserves a High-Medieval baptismal font, various artistic works and a silver museum, while nearby are the bishop's palace, many other churches, the diocesan museum and the museum dedicated to Giuseppina Arcucci, founder of the congregation of the Holy Spirit's nuns. (updated Apr 2018)
  • 🌍 Norman Castle. Of Lombard origin, this castle became very important under the Normans, when it was the head of a powerful county; there did King Roger II stay and there he held the Assizes of Ariano and coined the ducat. Later the castle was remodeled by the Aragonese and today houses the museum of Norman civilization. All around the castle there is a wide and panoramic public park. (updated Apr 2018)
  • 🌍 Archaeological Museum (Anzani palace). houses Neolithic, Samnite and Roman finds from the surrounding area. (updated Apr 2018)
  • 🌍 Palazzo Forte. Home of the European Center for Norman Studies and the Civic & Ceramic Museum. The town is an ancient center of maiolica manufacturing (updated Apr 2018)

The Palazzo Bevere, a Samnium University branch, is also majestic. In the verdant countryside are the sanctuary of Our Lady of Valleluogo (which here appeared to a shepherdess near a mill) and the sanctuary of Saint Liberatore martyr, both ancient.


Do

Halfway between the Romanesque Cathedral and the Norman Castle, along via Tribunali street, there is the Communal Cinema-Theatre. Instead the nightclubs are in the suburbs, along the statal road.

Buy

In the historic center there is plenty of small and typical shops, among which the traditional ceramics ones stand out. There are important fairs on Palm Sunday, on Sunday in Albis, on June 13th, on July 16th and on November 1st. The weekly market takes place on Wednesday.

Large distribution chains find a place in the outskirts, with two big fairs: on the second Sunday of May in Cardito suburb, and on the first Sunday of August in Martiri suburb.

The thematic fairs, on a variable basis, take place in a modern structure 8 km from the center, along the S.S. 90 Dir (info on Fiere della Campania).

Eat

La Pignata, a high level restaurant near the bus terminal, offers many typical local products. San Domenico, another medium-level restaurant, is just in front of the police station. Pizzerias, delis, rotisseries and pastry shops are everywhere, whereas agritourism accomodations are numerous in the countryside.

Drink

The typical place for nightlife movida is around the bars and cafes on Piazza Pasteni, at the terminal bus, becoming busy after about 10PM. If you want to venture to the outskirts of the city, there are many clubs and discos along the statal road.

Sleep

A few luxury hotels are instead in the suburbs, along the statal road.

Connect

The town has a free network of public Wi-Fi access, which covers several areas in the historic center with each area being indicated by a special signal.

Go next

It is very easy to reach the provincial capital Avellino (50 km away) and the regional capital Naples (100 km away) by car or public transport.

Routes through Ariano Irpino

Naples ← Avellino ←  W  E  → merges into
merges into ←  W  E  → Foggia


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