Gesualdo, Campania Explained

Gesualdo
Coordinates:	41°N 19°W
Region:	Campania
Province:	Avellino (AV)
Frazioni:	Piano della Croce, Torre dei Monaci
Mayor:	Edgardo Pesiri
Area Total Km2:	27.34
Population Total:	3446
Population As Of:	31 December 2017
Population Demonym:	Gesualdini
Elevation M:	640
Saint:	St. Nicholas
Day:	December 6th
Postal Code:	83040
Area Code:	0825

Gesualdo is an Italian town in the province of Avellino, itself in the region of Campania. It is called "The city of the Prince of Musicians" in honour of Carlo Gesualdo. It has many palaces, fountains, belvederes, and a historical center, which was partially restored after the Irpinia earthquake in 1980.

The town is located in the center of Irpinia, between the valleys of the rivers Fredane and Ufita. It is about 90km (60miles) from Naples and 290km (180miles) from Rome. Surrounding municipalities are Fontanarosa, Frigento, Grottaminarda, Paternopoli, Villamaina. It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy").^[1]

Castle

The first records of the Castle of Gesualdo date to Norman rule in the 12th century.

The castle was severely damaged in the 1980 Irpinia earthquake. Restoration work has not been completed yet, but the castle has been partially open to the public since 2015.^[2]

Main sights

• Castle of Gesualdo, founded by Lombards in the 7th century, enlarged in the 15th. It was transformed by Carlo Gesualdo in the 16th and by the Cacceses in the 19th.
• Chiesa Madre di San Nicola (Saint Nicholas Mother Church, 12th century)
• Chiesa del Santissimo Sacramento (Blessed Sacrament Church) (Great Chapel).
• Chiesa del Santissimo Rosario (Most Holy Rosary Church, 17th century)
• Chiesa di Maria Santissima Addolorata (Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 17th century)
• Capuchin convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, founded in the 16th century and enlarged in the 17th
• Church of Santa Maria della Pietà (17th century)

Culture

Events in the village include:

• Carnevale Gesualdino (Gesualdo Carnival), a parade of paperboard wagons and masked groups, held in the Carnival period
• Volo dell'Angelo (Flight of the Angel), the secular tradition that sees a child, dressed as an angel, tied to a rope, acrossing a square at a height of more than 20m (70feet); last Sunday of August.

External links

• • Gesualdo e Carlo Gesualdo *A living document in the interior Campania, Italy: the Castle of Gesualdo

Notes and References

1. Web site: Campania. 1 August 2023. it.
2. Web site: Castle of Carlo Gesualdo.