Avellion

Avellino is a small city in the Campania region of Italy. It is the capital of the province Avellino and is only about 26 miles from the city of Naples. Avellino has a current population of about 56,000 people and is best known for its ancient sights and storied history. Avellino was originally a Samnite village called Abellinum, the ruins of which can still be seen today. Around 500 AD, the town was Christianized and a cathedral called the Panorama of Avellino was constructed. This cathedral still stands today and is one of Avellino's most popular sites today due to its beauty and structural integrity. In 1100, Avellino fell under the rule of Norman Duke Riccardo dell'Aquila, who then constructed the Lombard castle on the outskirts of the city in an area now called the Piazza Castello. The remains of this castle is also a very popular tourist attraction.

Avellino has also played an important role in several major wars, as it was a harbor for revolutionary rioters in the 1820's and a hiding spot for German Panzer units during Allied bombings during World War II. Avellino actually suffered some serious structural damage when Allied forces learned of the Panzer units whereabouts and repeatedly bombed the city to flush out the Germans. However, Avellino's worst enemy throughout history has been earthquakes. Located on a plain surrounded by mountains, Avellino has been subject to numerous earthquakes, the most recent and destructive earthquakes occurring in 1980 and 1981. After these earthquakes, many areas of the city required extensive repairs, including the famous cathedral located in the middle of the city. Using new techniques in construction, the officials of Avellino have been able to create new buildings which are much more durable and receptive to earthquakes. These same techniques are now used when constructing other buildings in earthquake-prone areas such as California and Japan.

Over the years, Avellino has become a popular tourist site due to its central location in the country of Italy. While its main tourist attraction continues to be the ruins of the ancient roman city of Abellinum, Avellino is also very close to the popular ski resort in Laceno, as well as the Sanctuaries of Montevergine and San Gerardo a Maiella. In fact, Avellino draws an average of over 300,000 tourists a year, and is a very popular stopping