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Monteverde in Avellino, region of Campania, southern Italy
The road for Monteverde and the lakes of Monticchio is 30.3 km long, known first as an important panoramic province in the south east, and then as characteristic of the State of 167, of the lakes of Monticchio. The road runs on the back of a mountainous and solitary country path between Ofanto and Osento. It's tributary runs on the left and then after 13.5km it reaches Monteverde: 740m altitude, 909 inhabitants, an agricultural and commercial centre that lies on the ridge of a hillock, dominating the valley of Ofanto. Inhabited from antiquity, it came into being in the Medieval era and boasted a vast polygonal fortress from 4th century BC. The crown was taken locally: it was the stronghold of the families of Balbano, Garliardo, Stendardo, Orsini, Grimaldi and Sangermano. It was the Episcopal seat in about the 9th century. In 1531, Clement VII united it with Nazareth, with the seat at Barletta, which was abolished in 1818. Monteverde is the birthplace of the beautified Giordano, who died in 1145 as well as the archbishop of Conza, Antonio Buglione (1853-1904). Standing with four cylindrical towers, the Castello is imposing and well-preserved to this day. Today it is used as a dwelling and the municipality ensures its preservation through collected funds of the Graecia Magna; the Parish most probably erected in the 14th century, it was rebuilt first in 1728,and then in 1901. At the crossroads for Monteverde, one reaches the divide for the valleys of Ofanto and of Calaggio, respectively, with a beautiful circular panorama. At 46.7 km one enters the Puglian region. A little after 47.8km taking a road on the left for Rochetta Sant'Antonio, one goes down into a light wooded region, with a pronounced view of the table of Puglia. Past a corner of the wood of Guardiola, due south and past Ofanto on the bridge of S.Venere, one enters Bascilica at 57.6 km: a pleasant luminous country with rounded hills. At a relatively short distance from the train station of Foggia-Potenza, lies the final feature. One joins Amalfi at 74.6kmm a small and stunning ancient town, interesting for its rich historical artistic traditions. |
