Cervaro Valley

The Valley of the  Cervaro  a landscape that welcomes and tells a story

In the heart of the most authentic Irpinia, the Cervaro Valley unfolds as an ancient and bountiful landscape, where nature and history coexist in perfect harmony. Shaped by the course of the River Cervaro, which flows through the area following a route that has existed for millennia towards Puglia, this valley has always been a place of passage, encounter and exchange between different worlds.
Here, amongst rolling hills, wide plateaus and silent woods, lie villages such as Savignano Irpino, Greci, Montaguto and Zungoli, guardians of a culture rooted in rural and pastoral life. It is a region steeped in history: the famous Via Traiana, a Roman road linking Benevento to Brindisi, once ran through the valley, whilst the Regio Tratturo Pescasseroli–Candela still bears witness today to the unhurried pace of transhumance, a way of life shaped by people, flocks and the changing seasons.
The Cervaro Valley is also a place to be experienced with all the senses. Its landscapes offer views of rare beauty, amidst cultivated fields, olive groves, pastures and small streams. The produce of the land, simple and authentic, reflects an agricultural tradition rooted in time-honoured practices and respect for the environment. Here, time seems to slow down, allowing visitors to rediscover the pleasure of life’s simple pleasures.
Visiting the Cervaro Valley means immersing yourself in an unspoilt landscape, where every road leads to a discovery, every village to a story, and every encounter to a moment of wonder. It is an invitation to pause, take a breath and let yourself be guided by a landscape that does not merely reveal itself, but invites you to experience it.

Municipality of  Savignano Irpino

Savignano Irpino, the village overlooking the Cervaro Valley

In the heart of the Cervaro Valley, suspended between the wind and silence, Savignano Irpino presents itself as an authentic village, where the aroma of handmade pasta accompanies the slow pace of life. Nestled between the Calvario and Tombola hills, it overlooks a vast, sun-drenched landscape, a natural meeting point between Irpinia and the neighbouring Daunia region of Apulia.
Here, nature still retains its most authentic voice: woods of oak and Turkey oak, cultivated fields, springs and small bodies of water such as the Aguglia pond and the Rifieto sulphurous spring enrich a landscape best explored at a leisurely pace. It is a landscape steeped in history, marked by the route of the Pescasseroli–Candela sheep track and by ancient paths that tell the story of shepherds and wayfarers.
The village boasts a fascinating historical and architectural heritage. Guevara Castle, perched atop the Tombola, retains the grandeur of its defensive origins, whilst the historic centre, with its walls and ancient gateways, evokes the identity of the medieval Castrum Sabinianum. The churches, starting with the Mother Church of St Nicholas and St Anne, bear witness to a spirituality deeply rooted in time, forged from living stone, silence and devotion.
A stroll through Savignano takes you past picturesque views, cosy squares and architecture that exudes a sense of welcome, such as Palazzo Orsini, once a refuge for pilgrims. The Fontana Angelica, with its elegant stone swans, is one of the most recognisable symbols of this identity.
Around the village, the surrounding countryside continues to surprise: from the little church of Santa Sofia to the mysterious cave of San Felice, right through to the ruins of the medieval hamlet of Sant’Angelo, every spot invites you to explore.
Savignano Irpino is not just a destination, but an experience to be savoured. A place where history, nature and tradition intertwine, offering visitors the chance to rediscover a more human way of life, characterised by encounters, landscapes and memories.

Municipality of  Greci

The Greeks: the Arbëresh soul of the Cervaro Valley

Situated on the border between Irpinia and the ancient land of Daunia, Greci boasts a unique and precious identity. Here, in the heart of the Cervaro Valley, the Arbëresh community still thrives today – an Albanian minority that arrived in Italy in the 15th century and has managed to preserve its language, rituals, traditions and culinary heritage over the centuries. This rare intangible heritage makes this village a special place to discover and experience.
Perched on a hill at an altitude of around 800 metres, Greci serves as a natural vantage point overlooking the valley, offering sweeping and picturesque views. All around, oak and coniferous woods form a lush landscape, whilst the Cervaro stream flows silently, having been a constant companion to life in these lands for centuries. It is a place where nature intertwines with history, creating a genuine and harmonious balance.
The village tells its story through its architecture and distinctive features. The ‘Halive’, ancient dry-stone buildings typical of the Arbëresh tradition, bear witness to a past characterised by simplicity and ingenuity. The ruins of the medieval castle, overlooking a picturesque viewpoint, evoke bygone eras, whilst the churches bear witness to the meeting of different cultures. The Church of St Bartholomew the Apostle, patron saint of the village, and that of Our Lady of Caroseno, deeply rooted in Greco-Eastern spirituality, are places where faith and identity merge.
As you stroll through the streets of the historic centre, you’ll come across stately homes and secluded views, whilst Palazzo Lusi – now home to the PLEAG Museum – offers a glimpse into the area’s archaeological heritage. Nearby, the Masseria di Tre Fontane bears witness to the passage of travellers and shepherds along the ancient sheep tracks.
Greci is a journey into a living culture, a place where every word, every dish and every gesture tells an ancient story. Visiting this village means coming into contact with a community that has made remembrance its strength, offering visitors an authentic, intense and deeply human experience.

Municipality of  Montaguto

Montaguto, the village of boundless views

In the heart of the most authentic Irpinia, nestled between the Cervaro and Miscano valleys, Montaguto is a remarkable village that offers sweeping views in every direction. Perched on a hill over 700 metres high, it is a place where the landscape becomes an experience: natural terraces, unexpected glimpses and views stretching as far as the Matese and the Tavoliere delle Puglie tell the story of a land of transition, suspended between different worlds.
Strolling through its streets means wandering through an intimate and welcoming village, where every corner offers a special vantage point. Montaguto is also known as the ‘village of water’: numerous fountains, dotted throughout the centre and the surrounding area, bear witness to a natural wealth of clear and abundant springs. From the Fontana Nuova to the Fontana Vecchia with its ancient washhouse, right through to the picturesque Fontana del Ponte nestled amongst the greenery, every spot invites you to pause and listen.
All around the village, nature reveals itself in its most authentic form. The Piano dell’Edera woodland, with its footpaths and picnic areas, is an ideal green space for walks and moments of tranquillity. The chapel of the Madonna del Bosco also stands here, at the heart of a tradition that is still very much alive and which brings the community together every year for a deeply meaningful festival.
The historic centre preserves traces of its history, from its squares and palaces to its places of remembrance. From Piazza IV Novembre to the Parco della Rimembranza, and including its historic buildings and the House Museum, Montaguto retains the identity of a village that has stood the test of time without losing its soul.
Visiting Montaguto means letting your gaze, the light and the silence guide you. It is a place where the landscape tells a story and every view is an invitation to pause, breathe and discover the beauty of a region that remains unspoilt.

Municipality of  Zungoli

Zungoli, the stone village suspended between history and mystery

In the heart of the Cervaro Valley, amidst rolling hills, caves and green slopes, Zungoli stands out as one of the most charming and picturesque villages in Irpinia. Perched on a tuff hill and surrounded by the Molara, Monticelli and Toppo hills, it overlooks a tranquil and unspoilt landscape, through which the River Vallone flows.
Its ancient origins are intertwined with medieval history, when the settlement began to take shape around the Castrum Curuli, a Norman fortification built in a strategic position. Even today, the village retains its identity intact: a maze of cobbled alleyways, stone stairways and houses nestled close together, which take the visitor on a journey through time.
The Norman-Swabian castle, with its imposing towers and stone access ramp, dominates the scene and represents the symbolic heart of the town. Surrounding it is an architectural ensemble of great value, comprising historic palaces, intimate squares and views that surprise at every turn. The picturesque nine-arched bridge, leading to the highest part of the village, is one of Zungoli’s most iconic sights.
Spirituality is deeply rooted here, as evidenced by the numerous places of worship. From the Mother Church of Santa Maria dell’Assunta to the Convent of San Francesco – which, according to tradition, is linked to the saint’s visit – each place bears witness to a simple and authentic faith, characterised by silence, art and devotion.
But Zungoli also harbours a mysterious side: beneath the historic centre lies an intricate network of caves, hewn out of the rock and used over the centuries as shelters, storage areas and workplaces. A hidden world that adds to the charm of this unique village.
Visiting Zungoli means losing yourself amongst its ancient stones, letting its silence guide you, and discovering a place where history, nature and memory coexist in a rare harmony. An authentic experience that will surprise you and leave a lasting impression.

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