Places to go |
In the countryside of Irpinia, the area in which Calitri is located, and the adjacent Vulture there are numerous ancient villages high on the hills and mountains and ruins of old castles and cathedrals. There are visible signs of the Romans, the Longobards, the Aragonese and the Bourbons. The following are just a few of the places which can be visited easily and in a short time by car. |
| Amalfitan coast |
This coastline is fairly easy to reach from Calitri and will take you between 1 and 2 hours to drive, depending where on the coast you go. Paestum or Salerno are probably the quickest to get to. You can pick up hydrofoils in Salerno which will take you along this beautiful stretch of coast to Amalfi, Positano, Sorrento or Capri. |
| Aquilonia | If you enjoy fishing,
Aquilonia is near the artificial lake of San Pietro. It is worth taking
a look at the ruins of the ancient village of Aquilonia inside the Archaeological
Park and there is also the Museo Etnografico della Civilta Contadina.
It is 18 kilometres from Calitri about a 25 minute drive. |
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| Bisaccia | This town was built
on an extension of Mount Calvario which is 800 metres above sea level.
It is rather windy, hence the proliferation of wind-power plants. The
Ducal Castle is worth seeing as is the Iron Age Necropolis and the Princess's
Tomb. Il Grillo d'Oro restaurant which serves lunch and dinner is popular.
Bisaccia is 17 kilometres from Calitri - a 20-25 minute drive. |
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| Cairano |
This is a small village of about 800 inhabitants. It is on top of a steep slope and is popular with hang-gliders. It is 11 kilometres - about a 15 minute drive - from Calitri. |
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| Conza della Campania |
Conza was the most important town of Southern Italy during the Middle Ages but was abandoned following an earthquake in 1980. It was built on top of the ancient Roman town of Compsa and the dyke built to control the waters of the Ofanto river has become an attraction for wildlife and birds. There is an archaeological park where the ruins of Conza castle are situated and the restored cathedral contains the sarcophagus of St. Erberto, the patron saint of Conza. Conza is 14 kilometres from Calitri - less than a 20 minute drive. |
Gargano coast This is the northern coastline of the Puglia region. Much of it is still fairly unspoilt and is 132 kilometres from Calitri - about an hour and a half drive. If you don't want to drive there is a daily bus, during July and August, from Calitri to Margherita di Savoia a busy seaside town with fine sandy beaches and a thermal spa. |
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Laceno ski resort This plateau is about 1000 metres above sea level and there are two chairlifts one each for Mount Raiamagra (1676 metres above sea level) and Mount Cervialto (1809 metres above sea level). The resort has 26 kilometres of ski slope and there are a number of restaurants where you can eat mushroom and truffle based local food. La Fauna (a bit pricey) has been recommended. It is about a 50 minute drive from Calitri. To find out more about this resort click here |
| Laghi di Monticchio | Monticchio is a
beautiful location in the heart of the Mount Vulture region. It is situated
on the crater of an extinct volcano and there are two emerald green lakes
which are surrounded by a forest of chestnut and beech trees. There are
also the remains of two old abbeys. It is 20 kilometres from Calitri -
about a 25 minute drive. |
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| Melfi |
This town was the capital of the region during the reign of the Normans and is well worth seeing. The town is well-known for its castle and the two Papal councils which took place there. It is 34 kilometres from Calitri and a 40-45 minute drive. |
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| Thermal baths of St. Theodore in Villamaina |
Apparently these baths were referred to by Virgil in the Aeneid. In the 18th century Duke Caracciolo placed huge marble baths within the natural depressions formed over the centuries by the weight of the waters and today, these waters still reach temperatures of 28C. They are, it seems, particularly recommended for sufferers of arthritis and dermatological and vascular ailments. They are about a 50 minute drive from Calitri |
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| Venosa |
This is the birthplace of the Roman poet Quintus Horatius Flaccus (Horace). He left the town in 50BC. At that time the town was known as Venusia and was an important garrison town on the Appian Way. Worth seeing are the ruins of the Roman thermal baths, the amphitheatre (which seated 10,000 people) and the Jewish catacombs which are carved into the volcanic rock. It is 55 kilometres from Calitri - just over an hour's drive. |
There are many other
places to visit both in and around Calitri. The countryside is beautiful,
hilly and green with many lakes, rivers and pretty towns |
