Calitri

Calitri is a city in Campania. Its population is roughly 6,500.

By car
Bari, 2½ hours Lacedonia, follow the blue and white street signs for Bisaccia. When you hit Bisaccia follow the blue and white street signs for Calitri. Naples (Napoli), 1 hr 20 min. Take the A16 (toll road) and head east Rome, 3½ hours. Take the A1/E45 to A30 to A16

See
Visitors can wander round the medieval village to soak in the atmosphere and enjoy the local artisan's shops and the exceptional regional cuisine among other activities. Calitri is known for its ceramics, needlepoint, and arts. Many sports including paragliding, horse riding, mountain biking, fishing, and hunting can also be practised. For those seeking more relaxing occupations, soaking in the nearby thermal baths or embarking on exciting culinary or wine itineraries are an attractive option.

The area is steeped in history and tradition and sprinkled with castles and aristocratic palazzos.

The Antico Borgo Calitri is in the oldest section of town and is dominated by the castle which predates the 12th century. The town is known to locals as the "Positano d'Irpinia" because its pastel colours and architecture reflect those of the villages on the Amalfi coast.

Calitri is surrounded by idyllic countryside interspersed with rivers, lakes, fields, woods and archaeological ruins. Here, old folk traditions are very much woven into everyday life, with the whole community working towards keeping their ancestor's heritage alive and at the same time maintaining the high standards of service that an excellent location, a variety of traditions, and a rich agriculture-based economy permits. Those spending time in the area can enjoy the many village fairs, local food festivals, markets, and commemorative processions that take place in the piazzas and the alleys of little villages in Irpinia and Vulture.

The locals have witnessed many wars and invasions in centuries gone by. There are many visible signs of the presence of the Romans, the Longobards, the Aragoneses, and the Bourbons. Medieval historical centres and old castles are a must for the discerning visitor, who can also look to the visit for tranquility, hospitality and a high quality of life. The origins of Calitri are lost in the mists of time, and the town and its surroundings are dotted with archeological remains Calitri countryside dating back to ancient Rome. With the passing of the centuries the area became an important route of communication and transport connecting the Tyrrhenian to the Adriatic coast. It fell under the reign of Fedric II of Svevia during the 12th century and was subjected to Spanish dominion, and later became difficult to visit when many locals became makeshift highwaymen in a bid to combat Napoleonic dominion. This turned the region into an isolated, insecure, and poor area, which in turn encouraged workers and families in the early 1900s to emigrate to the richer north of Italy as well as North and South America in search of a better future, abandoning many villages and towns. The local economy also suffered from an earthquake in the 1980s.

Eat
Calitrian food is known for being tasty and spicy. Typical handmade pasta dishes include cingul', the local dish par excellence. This is short, twirly pasta boiled and then served with a thick, tasty tomato sauce. Other varieties of pasta with the same sauce include lahan' and aurecchi' r' preut'- (priest's ears in the local dialect). Another must is cannazze', served with delicious hot tomato sauce and pecorino cheese; and sciliend' (a special vermicelli-like pasta) with a condiment of garlic-fried oil and hot chili pepper.

Meat-based delicacies include m'gliatiegghij' a local favourite made up of tasty roulades of kid or lamb casings garnished with cheese, offal, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and sliced sausage; sfritta, or chopped pork meat sautéed with hot peppers; sammuchij', a local pudding made of pork blood seasoned with minced lard, little segments of orange peel, rice, raisins, cinnamon, pork casings, walnuts, salt, and chili pepper powder.

A traditional fish-based delicacy is stock fish a la ualanegna, the favourite of plowmen in the past (ualan' means "plowman"), in which stock fish is boiled and flavoured with garlic, herbs and chili peppers.









Go next

 * Irpinia (the "wolf land") is the green mountainous district around Avellino, with a number of medieval towns and picturesque sights. Ariano Irpino upon Tricolle (the "three hills") is the largest town, known for its ancient majolica and typical cuisine; here King Roger II the Norman held in 1140 the Assizes of Ariano, and nowadays there are several historical monuments, museums and parks.
 * Monticchio is a stunning location in the heart of the Mount Vulture region. It is on the crater of an extinct volcano, and is made up of two emerald-green lakes surrounded by a dense forest of chestnut and beech trees. This wood was a favourite haunt of highwaymen in the years following the unification of Italy in 1860. The remains of the ancient Abbey of Sant'Ippolito (Abbazia di Sant'Ippolito) are near the Great Lake (Lago Grande), while the Abbey of San Michele (Abbazia di San Michele) overlooks the Little Lake (Lago Piccolo), dominating the surroundings and reflecting off its waters. It is partially carved out of an enormous rock that used to be the living space of a Brazilian hermit. The lakes and the nearby woods have numerous trails to offer both the serious hiker and the casual stroller. There are various restaurants nearby specializing in local delicacies and wine. 20 km from Calitri, about a 40-minute drive.