Its name is derived from Abellinum,
a stronghold of the Hirpini (an ancient Italic people)
and later a Roman colony, the site of which lies
just to the east of the modern city. Conquered by
the Lombards in the 8th century and destroyed by
the Holy Roman emperor Otto I the Great, Avellino
passed in turn to the princely families of Balzo,
Filangieri, and Caracciolo.
In the rising of 1820, the first attempt was made
to obtain a constitution from the king of Naples.
The city became part of the Italian kingdom in 1860.
Avellino is largely modern, for it has suffered
from numerous earthquakes in its history, the most
recent in 1980. Notable landmarks are the 12th-century
cathedral, which was rebuilt in 1868; the provincial
archaeological museum; and the ruins of the Lombard
castle where in 1130 the antipope Anacletus II conceded
the titles of king of Sicily, Apulia, Calabria,
and Capua to the Norman Roger II of Altavilla, duke
of Calabria.
On the nearby Monte Vergine is the famous Benedictine
monastery and sanctuary of Montevergine, founded
in 1119 and visited by thousands of pilgrims annually.
One
of the most irresistible local products is certainly
the popular 'limoncello', a liqueur made
from the unique lemons grown along the Amalfi Coast.
But you'll also be tempted by our fennel liqueur,
our laurel and mandarin liqueurs, not to
mention the exquisite 'babà al limoncello'
(limoncello flavoured cakes) which are all produced
by Shaker.
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