Ariano Irpino

Ariano Irpino (formerly Ariano di Puglia or simply Ariano) is an Italian town and municipality in the province of Avellino, in Campania region. With a population of 22,517 (2011), it is the second town of the province after Avellino.

Geography

Overview

At an elevation of 817 metres (2,680 ft) above sea level, Ariano Irpino is practically centred between the Adriatic Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is 34 km east of Benevento and 62 km west of Foggia.

Formerly called just Ariano, it was built on three hills, and for that reason it is also known as Città del Tricolle (City of the Three Hills). From 1868 to 1930, when it became part of Campania, it was known as Ariano di Puglia. Irpinia is the name given to the area of the Apennine Mountains around Avellino. The name derives from the Oscan word hirpus, meaning wolf.

Ariano lies in the centre of a fertile district, but has no buildings of importance, as it has often been devastated by earthquakes. A considerable part of the population still dwelled in caves until 1911. It has been supposed to occupy the site of Aequum Tuticum, an ancient Samnite town which became a post-station on the Via Traiana in Roman times; but this should probably be sought at S. Eleuterio, 82 kilometres (51 mi) north. It was a military position of some importance in the Middle Ages. About 20 kilometres (12 mi) south-southeast is the Sorgente Mefita, identical with the pools of Ampsanctus.