Candida

Candida (AV)

Hidden gemVillages

Candida, Candida (AV)
The original uploader was Maurogargano at Italian Wikipedia. · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

The story

A white borgo (old village) on a hill, with the ruins of its castle and a view that on summer evenings reaches all the way to the Partenio.

Access

FREE

The story

A small centre of the Avellino area, little more than a thousand inhabitants, Candida sits on the slopes of the Toppa Sant'Andrea, in a position so high and open that the ancient historians described it as a fortress that «dominates twelve towns that seem to form an honoured crown around it». The name appears in the documents from the Middle Ages, but the terracotta finds tell of an older presence. Those who have described it over the centuries found only words of praise for its position and the mildness of the climate.

What to see

Candida is above all a belvedere: from its hilly ridge the gaze runs over the towns of Irpinia arranged around it like a crown. The village keeps the compact layout of the small Irpinian historic centres, among chestnut woods and vines that have always marked its territory.

Hours and prices

Free entry.

Tips

It is a village to experience slowly, for the position and the hill air more than for a single picture-postcard monument: climb up, look out and enjoy the panorama over the nearby towns. Handy to arrive by car. Excellent to combine with a visit to Avellino and the centres of central Irpinia, a few kilometres away.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Candida called a belvedere of Irpinia?

For its high and open position on the slopes of the Toppa Sant'Andrea: already the ancient historians described it as dominating the surrounding towns, arranged around it like a crown.

How far is Candida from Avellino?

It is a small centre of central Irpinia, a few kilometres from the provincial capital Avellino.

What is produced in the territory of Candida?

The territory is historically tied to chestnuts and wine, typical of the Irpinian hill.

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