Avellino

Avellino is a city and comune in the Campania region of southern Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Avellino and the administrative center of Irpinia, situated in the Calore Irpino valley on the Apennine foothills at an elevation of about 450 meters. As of 2022, the municipality has a population of around 54,000.

The area has ancient origins; the Roman town of Abellinum stood near the modern city, and archaeological remains have been uncovered in the surrounding hills. The name Avellino derives from Abellinum. In the medieval and early modern periods the town was part of the broader territories of southern Italy under various rulers before becoming part of the Kingdom of Naples. The 1980 Irpinia earthquake caused extensive damage and loss of life, prompting a long period of reconstruction.

The economy centers on administration, services, and the surrounding agricultural area. The countryside around Avellino is part of Irpinia’s wine country, known for wines such as Fiano di Avellino, Taurasi, and Greco di Tufo. Local industry includes small manufacturing and crafts, while the city hosts cultural institutions and historic sites that reflect its long past, including remnants of the ancient Abellinum site and a historic city center with churches and palaces.

Geographically, Avellino lies inland in Campania, within a landscape of hills and valleys in the Apennine foothills. It is connected by road and rail to Naples, Salerno, and other major centers in the region, serving as a hub for the surrounding towns of Irpinia.