Monteverde, one of the most fascinating villages in Italy, stands on a hill in Irpinia, dominated by the imposing castle that tells its medieval origins.

• 30 Jan 2024
• REPERTUR
• Borghi Antichi

Where the very rare Black Stork nests, between the Osento and the Ofanto, protected from the chaos and frenzy of the city, stands Monteverde, one of the most bucolic, but at the same time accessible, villages in Campania and is included in the list of the "Most Beautiful Villages in Italy".

Where Campania, Lucania and Puglia meet along the horizon, there is a small, uncontaminated village that dominates the Ofanto valley. This is Monteverde, from whose summit you can see the sea of ​​Manfredonia in Puglia.

Perched around its baronial castle, built in the Lombard era and expanded during the Aragonese domination, the village, which survived the many earthquakes that shook Irpinia, with its old houses built in local sandstone, is surrounded by fields of wheat as far as the eye can see and artificial waters such as those of Lake San Pietro, which in summer are populated with wonderful fauna.

GRIMALDI CASTLE

Built by the Lombards to control and govern the territories falling within the Duchy of Benevento, thanks to its enviable position that offers breathtaking views of the valleys below, the old Monteverde Fortress is one of the main reasons to visit the village.

The manor, known as Castello Grimaldi, from the name of one of the main feudal families who lived there, was expanded in the 15th century thanks to the intervention of the Aragonese who added four corner towers to the old fortress, two cylindrical and two square, and a drawbridge, unfortunately, lost by the various seismic events that marked its history.

Almost entirely destroyed by the earthquake of 1851, it was rebuilt and restored several times and today it presents itself with the still visible towers, the loopholes and the rectangular windows, while inside there is a chapel that preserves an altar, a holy water stoup, dating back to the 14th century together with some frescoes.

THE INTERACTIVE MUSEUM OF WHEAT

After its last and complete restoration in 2006, the Monteverde Fortress hosts the Interactive Museum of Wheat (M.I.GRA), a place of flavors and knowledge, where, thanks to technological and artistic installations, stories and dynamics of peasant life come to life, which develop through 9 exhibition rooms in which, immersive projections and augmented reality stations, tell us about the cereal tradition of the Ofanto valley.

Thanks to the support of viewers and multimedia stations, the Museum tells the story of the ancient cereal culture of the valleys that develop at the foot of Monteverde, retracing the different production phases of wheat, from sowing to harvesting, reconstructing scenes of daily life with a focus on the days, seasons and methods of intervention in the fields that give rise to a product of excellence, unique and inimitable as Irpinia wheat is.

THE ARTIFICIAL LAKE OF SAN PIETRO

Born by the Osento River, nestled between woods and hills at an altitude of over 450 meters above sea level, the artificial lake of San Pietro, with its emerald green waters, is one of the most fascinating Sites of Community Interest (SCI) in all of Irpinia.

Inhabited by carp, trout and catfish and embellished by very rich vegetation, the lake is the natural setting of the Great Water Show, an event of lights, colors, sounds and fireworks that, between history and suggestion, tells the life of San Gerardo Maiella and attracts thousands of visitors from Irpinia and all of Southern Italy.

SERRO DELLA CROCE NATURE TRAIL

Another reason to visit Monteverde is the nature trail of Serro della Croce that winds for over a kilometer on one of the three hills where the village stands and offers a breathtaking view that ranges from the valley below to Vulture in Basilicata. On one of the large stone spikes called “lu carabutt” it is said that the imprint of the hand of the Archangel Michael is imprinted, who, according to legend, led his battle against Lucifer right at that point.