Visit Calitri, region of Campania, Italy

A Day's drive among the castles, abbeys
and traditions of Calitri and its surroundingsTraditions of Calitri

Festivities and events in the region of Campania, Italy Festivities and events in Calitri

Neighbor comune of Calitri: Cairano, Pescopagano, Sant'Andrea di Conza, Rapone, Aquilonia, Andretta, Castelgrande, Bisaccia, Ruvo del Monte, Conza della Campania, San Fele, Castelnuovo di Conza, Monteverde, Santomenna, Lacedonia, Muro Lucano, Laviano, Bella, Teora, Morra De Sanctis, Rocchetta Sant'Antonio, Colliano, Atella, Vallata, Caposele, Scampitella 

Church of St. Canion (CHIESA DI SAN CANIO)

Church of the Annunciation (CHIESA DELL'ANNUNZIATA)

Built in 1577 and restored toward the end of the 17th Century, it has an artistic stone portal with lunette and several 18th-century paintings by Cavallino.

Town Hall (CASA DEL COMUNE)

The building, formerly a convent for Benedictine nuns, dates back to the second half of the 16th century. Its present appearance is the result of restoration done after the 1930 earthquake. The original oratory and some cells have been preserved.

Church of the Immaculate Conception (CHIESA DELL'IMMACOLATA CONCEZIONE)

It was open for worship as of 1714 and completely rebuilt after the 1980 earthquake. Noteworthy are the 17th –century statue of St. Vitus and that of the Immaculate Conception, dated 1730. A permanent Nativity Scene, of great value, set in the church crypt, reproduces the narrow streets of the old town, some of which are no longer in existence. There is an exhibit located inside the Immaculate Conception church. The objects on display are centuries-old and come from various churches in town.

Museum of peasant culture (MUSEO DELLA CIVILTA' CONTADINA)

Located in the A. Del Re middle school, it houses objects and tools pertaining to the peasant life of the past.

Ceramics Museum (MUSEO DELLA CERAMICA)

It is situated inside the very beautiful Borgo Castello (recently retored). It houses samples of Calitrian ceramics, dating from antiquity to modern times. The “Permanent Ceramics Exhibit” is located in the restored Borgo Castello, which owes its name to the ancient feudal castle that once occupied this site, but was destroyed by repeated earthquakes through the centuries. The rationale for situating the Ceramics exhibit in a context so rich in history is that Calitri has an ancient and glorious ceramics tradition, proven by remains dating back to the IV and III centuries b.C. The present day ceramics industry and its practitioners have a centuries-old history, and thus the exhibit houses various sections, including one dedicated to contemporary ceramics.

Museum of Interactive Sciences (MUSEO DELLE SCIENZE INTERATTIVE)

It is housed in the “Largo San Berardino” and consists of instruments and mechanical devices designed to provide an entertaining approach to science for museum visitors.

Old town (CENTRO STORICO)

This is where our accommodations are located. It consists of narrow streets and alleys winding in intricate ways toward the hill top, flanked by houses forming an orderly terrace pattern. Some homes are centuries-old.

Cupa Lane (SENTIERO DELLA CUPA)

A nature trail amid the countryside greenery leading to the site of an ancient legend.

The lake of reeds (LAGO DELLE CANNE)

This lake abounds in a rich variety of fish (trout, carp, etc.), in a fascinating natural setting, ensconced in the Castiglione Forest, whose fauna includes bores, hares, foxes, and badgers, as well as blackbirds, hawks, woodcock, and quail. Laghi di

Piano Laceno Skiing Resort

Rocca San Felice

A medieval village 750 meters above sea level famous in ancient times for the nearby Arsanto Valley (Valle D'Arsanto), which was considered sacred during the dark ages and as a result attracted many a pilgrim. A recent discovery of archaeological ruins has attracted even more attention to the town lake, which was an element of interest in itself with its waters bubbling from the carbon dioxide and sulphuric acid exhaled by the waterbed. Above Rocca San Felice stands the imposing cylindrical tower of its castle, a prime spot from which to view the surrounding countryside. The little small stone Rocca San Felice houses all appear to lean against each other, as if seeking support. An interesting feature of this quaint village are the straw ovens that are still used to bake and heat. There is a restaurant-museum (Ristorante-Museo) in the historical centre, where visitors will be entertained with storytelling of local customs and traditions and nourished with the town's typical cuisine. The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore (Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore) and the Church of Santa Felice (Chiesa di Santa Felice) are worth seeing. 36 kilometres from Calitri, 47 minutes' drive.

Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi

Historians and architects consider the historic centre of this small village to be a jewel and the Cathedral and the Febbronia Tower (Torre di Febbronia) heighten its beauty.
The Abbey of San Guglielmo of Goleto (Abbazia di San Guglielmo di Goleto) is situated on top of a hill not far from Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi. This monastery has attracted many pilgrims over the years, and today is an ideal retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. Inside its thick, stone walls is St. Luke's Chapel (Capella di San Luca), with its important frescos, and the Greek Crossed Church (La Chiesa a Croce Greca). Also to be found inside the walls are a few small houses from the middle ages built by pilgrims whose religious convictions drew them near to St. Guglielmo's abode for protection. The Tower of the Abess' Defense (Torre di Difesa della Abbessa) can be admired through an inward door. The silence and the peace that pervades the monastery creates a mystical and unreal atmosphere. 31 kilometres from Calitri, 34 minutes' drive.

Thermal Baths of St. Theodore in Villamaina:

A favourite of locals seeking relaxation and rejuvenation, these baths were cited by Virgil in the Latin poet's masterpiece Eneide, written before the birth of Christ. In the 1700s Duke Caracciolo embellished the Antiche Terme di San Teodoro by placing huge marble baths within the natural depressions formed over the centuries by the weight of the waters to offer better hospitality to those wanting to enjoy the soothing natural liquids. Today the waters still reach temperatures of 28 degrees centigrade, allowing vacationers to relax and benefit from their curative powers. They are particularly recommended for those with arthritis and dermatological and vascular ailments. Visitors can stay at the small 32-room hotel adjacent to the baths. www.termedivillamaina.it. 49 kilometres from Calitri/50-minutes' drive.

Torella dei LombardiTorella dei Lombardi:

What used to be a bustling, lively agriculture centre in medieval times today offers peace, hospitality, and untouched nature. It is immersed in the woods that have embraced the town for many hundred years. The castle that used to belong to local nobility has been restored and is now in use by the town council, and there's a museum (Museo Civico) that's rich in archaeological treasures. Well worth seeing are the Chapel of Sant'Eustacchio (Capella di Sant'Eustacchio), the town garden with the two antique towers and a portal from the 1500s. 40 kilometres from Calitri, 44 minutes' drive.

Venosa:

Venosa, home of the renowned Roman poet Quintus Horatius Flaccus, backdates as one of the first human settlements of the Basilicata region. It was the main ancient Roman settlement in the area, and became an Episcopal see during the Christian era. The ruins of the Roman thermal baths and of the amphitheatre are unique example of their kind, as are the Jewish catacombs that are carved into the solid volcanic rock. The town's history and tradition are put on show at the Del Balzo Castle (Castello Del Blazo), which has been transformed into a museum. Other important landmarks include the Abbey of the Trinity (Abbazia della Trinita') and the Unfinished Church (L'Incompiuta), which Benedictine monks started to build but never completed. 55 kilometres from Calitri, 62 minutes' drive.

Monticchio 

Amalfi Coast

Aquilonia

Bisaccia

Cairano

Conza della Campania

Gargano Coast

Lagopesole

Melfi

Montella

Nusco