COMENIUS MULTILATERAL PARTNERSHIP

2009/2011

“MUSEUMS, EDUCATION AND MODERN SOCIETY”

Istituto Statale d’Istruzione Superiore

Grottaminarda ITIS/ ISA/ ITC

THE HISTORY OF IRPINIAIrpinia is a region of the Apennine Mountains around Avellino, a town in Campania, South

Italy about 40 km east of Naples. In antiquity this was the territory of the Hirpini; its extent corresponds approximately to that of today’s province of Avellino. The name "Irpinia" derives from the Oscan word "hirpus", which means wolf, and the wolf remains Irpinia's symbol to this day. Oscan tribes of the Sabines, under demographic pressure, migrated towards this area in the 6th century BC from what is now Umbria. The Hirpini occupied the region Sabato, Calore Irpino and Ofanto, becoming differentiated with time from the Samnites who settled the area from Molise and Matese. The main centres of the Hirpini were Malies or Maloenton (modern Benevento), Romulea (Bisaccia), Compsa (Conza), Aquilonia, Lacedonia and Abellinum (Avellino).No certain date for the arrival of the Hiripini in the region can be given. They were already settled here at the time of the First Samnite War(342 BC). Their name is found in sources from 280 BC, when the Greek general Pyrrhus of Epirus made his expedition into Italy. In 22 BC Hirpinia became an imperial colony under the name Livia, which received substantial immigration from the Eastern Roman provinces. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Irpinia came successively under Byzantine, Longobard, Hohenstaufen, Anjou, Aragonese and finally Spanish domination. As part of the Kingdom of Naples it was included in the Principato Ultra or Ulterior.

The Roman site of Aeclanum The castle in Rocca San Felice A typical “Vicolo”

Feudalism was abolished in 1806, the same year in which Avellino was declared capital of the province. Irpinia became part of the newly united Kingdom of Italy in 1861. On August 21, 1962 and on November 23, 1980, two powerful earthquakes devastated the area.

The

bel

l To

wer

in

Bag

noli

Irip

ino

The Roman baths in Mirabella Eclano

The castle in Ariano Irpino

THE EARTHQUAKE IN 1980

MUSEUMS

ECONOMY IN IRPINIAECONOMY IN IRPINIAPeople of Irpinia are inclined not to leave the native land so, in the course of the People of Irpinia are inclined not to leave the native land so, in the course of the centuries, agriculture has always been the biggest value and has had a social centuries, agriculture has always been the biggest value and has had a social significance for the populations that live in this earth. From high Irpinia to low Irpinia , a significance for the populations that live in this earth. From high Irpinia to low Irpinia , a myriad of agricultural companies has represented an important source for all myriad of agricultural companies has represented an important source for all generations. The genuine products of Irpinia are appreciated on the domestic and generations. The genuine products of Irpinia are appreciated on the domestic and foreign markets. The role of Irpinia in the history of the viticulture of Campania has foreign markets. The role of Irpinia in the history of the viticulture of Campania has always been important: Irpinia offers wines of international reputation like “Greco di Tufo, always been important: Irpinia offers wines of international reputation like “Greco di Tufo, Taurasi and Fiano” of Avellino; together with the local gastronomic tradition, cheeses, Taurasi and Fiano” of Avellino; together with the local gastronomic tradition, cheeses, meats, fruits of the forest-hazelnuts, chestnuts, cherries, and in autumn, why not the meats, fruits of the forest-hazelnuts, chestnuts, cherries, and in autumn, why not the famous black truffle of Bagnoli Irpino. The company Antiqua Vinea – now engaged in the famous black truffle of Bagnoli Irpino. The company Antiqua Vinea – now engaged in the selection, the bottling and the commercialization of wines –was born on the push of a selection, the bottling and the commercialization of wines –was born on the push of a dynamic reality of market turns to assure to the economy of the entire province a new dynamic reality of market turns to assure to the economy of the entire province a new and more dignified position in the scale of the profit of Italy. The prestigious and more dignified position in the scale of the profit of Italy. The prestigious acknowledgments to national level to the wines of Irpinia impose respectful approach to acknowledgments to national level to the wines of Irpinia impose respectful approach to the entire section. Wooded mountains, green hills, tranquil rives from courses, the entire section. Wooded mountains, green hills, tranquil rives from courses, archaeological sites, medieval villages, ancient obeys in memory of a past rich in history.archaeological sites, medieval villages, ancient obeys in memory of a past rich in history.

TYPICAL PRODUCTS

INDUSTRIES IN IRPINIAINDUSTRIES IN IRPINIA There are many factories in Irpinia important for the Italian economy, including: There are many factories in Irpinia important for the Italian economy, including:

factories that produce wood and give a high contribution to foreign export and those factories that produce wood and give a high contribution to foreign export and those derived from no-metallic mineral processing and in the field of no-metallic mineral derived from no-metallic mineral processing and in the field of no-metallic mineral exports. exports. These are the only productive sectors in which you Irpinia has a good ability to These are the only productive sectors in which you Irpinia has a good ability to penetrate foreign markets; Irpinia industry is characterized by a traditional production. penetrate foreign markets; Irpinia industry is characterized by a traditional production. Food manufacturers are still a clear majority in manufacturing.Food manufacturers are still a clear majority in manufacturing.

Leather working is one of the main items in the economy of Irpinia. Concentrated in Leather working is one of the main items in the economy of Irpinia. Concentrated in the industrial district of Solofra, this activity has made the small town of Valle dell'Irno the industrial district of Solofra, this activity has made the small town of Valle dell'Irno one of the capitals of the Italian tanning. Dozens are tanneries Irpinian artifacts, one of the capitals of the Italian tanning. Dozens are tanneries Irpinian artifacts, giving them the most important Italian brands in the fashion and apparel. For lovers giving them the most important Italian brands in the fashion and apparel. For lovers of the genre there is a chance not only to be found in many leather goods located of the genre there is a chance not only to be found in many leather goods located throughout the province heads the best workers but also to purchase directly from throughout the province heads the best workers but also to purchase directly from the factory leather jackets, handbags and accessories. the factory leather jackets, handbags and accessories.

And the Fiat, which is Italian Automobile Factory, founded by Luca Cordero di And the Fiat, which is Italian Automobile Factory, founded by Luca Cordero di Montezemolo on 11 July 1899 in Turin as a manufacturer of automobiles, then Montezemolo on 11 July 1899 in Turin as a manufacturer of automobiles, then developed his work in many other areas, creating the largest financial group and developed his work in many other areas, creating the largest financial group and private industrial Italian. Branches are in Irpinia in Avellino and Pratola Serra.private industrial Italian. Branches are in Irpinia in Avellino and Pratola Serra.

"Green Irpinia“, with its predominance of evergreen forests and with roots that go back to the classical, is also known as "Winery of Ontario" for the production of wines of the highest class, now famous throughout the world. A "Journey in Irpinia" passes through historic sites and natural sites that testify a past that has left deep traces in the present. A journey that lets you know Irpinia and enjoy a pleasant, interesting landscape which will leave its mark. Moreover, thanks to the river Calore, the river Fredane and the numerous groundwater sources, Irpinia offers many picturesque scenery where fishing enthusiasts can practice their sport activities.

Today, times are rapidly changing, so for who has been absent from these places for months, returning home here runs the risk of not recognizing the landscapes. He will find wind turbines, towers of concrete and steel as high as 100 yards or more (the last), with a total weight of over 200 tons, between mountains and hills.The Aeolian energy , one of the less harmful alternative sources of energy for the environment, has the disadvantage to be exploited only in the windy place, where the middle speed of the air is at least of 21 km/hs. The modern aerogenerators are based on the same principle of the aeolian motors of the past, or on the exploitation of the kinetic energy of the wind to make to turn the shovels of a rotor.

The feasts of Christmas and Easter are celebrated in many towns of the region, and sometimes the celebrations have still pagan

origins. Very interesting manifestations are organized for Carnival and August holiday. It is worth mentioning the “Festa del

Carro di Mirabella Eclano” held in September. It was created to express gratitude to Goddess Pale, protectress of wheat and

fields for the crop and for the straw obelisks of Fontanarosa, Flumeri and Villanova del Battista.

Easter: The

passion

Gesualdo’s

CarnivalFesta del

Carro di

Mirabella

Eclano

The living

Nativity

Palio delle

botti di

Avellino

A land of ancient traditions like Irpinia agricultural ones, necessarily had to develop a tradition in crafts,

where manual skills, through the use of traditional instruments, allow

the realization of what may be called true masterpieces.

Working stone, extracted from

various local quarries

the center

of marble

processing

The scale

manufacture of

metals, iron and

copper in the

head, are still

present on the

territory.Processing of straw is tied to

religious representations

Other crafts to remember are the

ceramics

the art of

embroidery

and

tapestry

This modern centre is among the most important in the “Ufita Valley”. The original settlement, located in “La Fratta”, dates back to the Lombard domination. The earliest inhabited areas included “Fratta” and the Crypt known as the grotto of “Sant'Angelo”, the most venerated Saint by the Lombards. The word "Mainarda" was added from the first feudal lord, knight Trogisio called the Mainardo, because he had come from the French Region of Main.

WHAT TO SEE :

The medieval area of “Fratta” “D'Aquino” Castle The Church of “S. Maria Maggiore”, built on

a project by architect Vanvitelli The "Fontana del Re", built in the 16th

century The Church of “San Tommaso D'Aquino“

hosting a wooden group of the “Pietà” of the first half of the 16th century

Church

of

S.Maria

Maggiore

D’Aquino

Castle

View of Grottaminarda

The Church of “Black Madonna” in Carpignano The coat-of-arms of Grottaminarda

THE NEW SQUARE

Well known throughout Italy are the dishes invented by ancient women. Among which we include the "ciambottella" a sauce with hot

peppers, or the "cicatielli with pulieio" bitter herb that grows wild in the lands irpina, already known in Roman times. Irpinia

boasts an ancient tradition concerning the production of local products,

which are generally produced at scale.

Typical seasonal workers are the

tomato industry, widespread in the

Montoro

The oil production is another

typical example of

geographically dispersed

production irpino, but made

by companies small size.

Chestnuts (very famous ones Montella),

and on the ground suffered only a first

process, is completed elsewhere (jams,

creams, etc..).

Appreciated are the fungi, especially

those of Bagnoli Irpino.

THE “FESTONE” in GROTTAMINARDA

THE “PACCHIANA”

“THE KING’S FOUNTAIN”THE CASTLE

THE OLD FOUNTAIN “DOGANA ARAGONESE”