Montemarano, Italian comune
Montemarano is a small commune in the Province of Avellino in Campania, situated on a hilltop overlooking the Calore Valley and surrounded by gentle hills. The settlement features a medieval castle at its center, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta with an ancient underground crypt, and rows of historic stone buildings connected by narrow streets.
Montemarano was likely founded in the 8th century and took its name from the elevated location where a castle was built. The settlement fell under the rule of noble families such as the Della Marra and Caracciolo over centuries, becoming part of the political landscape of southern Italian kingdoms.
Montemarano celebrates its traditions most visibly during carnival season, when the streets fill with colorful masks and costumes and locals dance the tarantella together. These festivals show how the community keeps its customs alive through music, dance, and shared celebration.
The town is easily reached from Avellino via the Strada Statale Ofantina highway, and also has a railway connection to nearby towns, though service is infrequent. The narrow cobblestone streets require comfortable walking shoes and patience to explore, especially when navigating the hilly terrain and visiting the castle at the highest point.
Giambattista Basile, a renowned writer from the 16th century, came from Montemarano and was among the first to record stories in fairy tale form. His collection Lo cunto de li cunti contains simple narratives that have been passed down to this day, revealing that this small town had deep roots in storytelling tradition.
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