The Monte di Mario
Just 24 km away from Avellino, Montemarano transports the visitor to a surprisingly varied context. Located on the left of the upper course of the Calore, at 820 meters above sea level and dominated by Mount Tuoro, Montemarano gathers around its castle with a historic center that preserves the medieval topography intact, sometimes opening onto a belvedere from which the gaze spaces embracing enchanting panoramas. Numerous interpoderal roads connect the historic center with the 34 districts: residential areas that have developed different activities over time, each contributing to outline the local anthropological profile. Cradle of ancient traditions and holy land of pious figures and bishops, Montemarano boasts a thousand-year history, although the very first facts of its past are shrouded in uncertain news. The toponym, which defines as “Monte di Mario” the place known in Roman times as “Mons Maranus”, the mountain of that same brave warrior who would have defended the territory from attacks by the Romans, is attributed to the Irpinia leader Mario Egnazio, thus entering the local legends. A fundamental period in the history of the center was the one in which Montemarano was the seat of the diocese. Among the approximately 50 bishops who have succeeded at the helm of the Montemaranese church, the figure of Giovanni da Montemarano stands out, consecrated in 1084 and died in 1095 in the concept of holiness, a figure much loved and venerated so much that, a few years after his death , patron saint of the place. In addition to the castle, the town boasts the presence of numerous noble palaces. Among these we remember Palazzo Toni, dating back to the 17th century, and Palazzo Fiorili-Buono in late Baroque style. Among the religious buildings stand out the Church of the Heart of Jesus and the Church of the Immaculate Conception, both located in Piazza Mercato, in addition to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. Of great interest are also the Museum of Sacred Wallpapers, which represents a true excellence for the municipality and an exhibition center of great importance among the collections of liturgical clothing in general, being the first reality of this type to arise in Southern Italy and the Ethno- musical, dedicated to the Montemaranese folk tradition.
