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Photo: Prolocogesualdo, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Historic village
Gesualdo
Italian comune
At a glance
- Type
- Historic village
- Elevation
- 684 m above sea level
- Area
- 27,340,000 m²
- Coordinates
- 41°00′28″ N, 15°04′24″ E
History and description
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 90 kilometres (56 mi) from Naples and 290 kilometres (180 mi) 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").
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.
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
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 20 metres (66 ft); last Sunday of August.
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Gesualdo».
Photos
Getting there
PaternopoliTrain, nearest
6.6 km as the crow flies
Gesualdo
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
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Nearby
See on the mapMore historic villages in Campania
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- Most beautiful villages
- Most beautiful villages
- Most beautiful villages
Frequently asked questions
Where is Gesualdo?
Gesualdo is in Gesualdo, in the province of Avellino (Campania), Italy. GPS coordinates: 41.00778, 15.07333.
What else is there to see near Gesualdo?
Nearby you’ll find: Ancient Roman cistern (2.2 km away), Aeculanum (7.4 km away), Ancient Aeclanum archaeological park (7.5 km away).
Sources and licences
Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.
Credits for the 6 photos
- Gesualdo (AV) — Prolocogesualdo, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Gesualdo - Gianfranco Vitolo 121 — gianfranco.vitolo, CC BY 2.0
- Gesualdo - Panorama — Gopes, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Gesualdo 2016 — Mocogia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Panorama (Gesualdo) 30 07 2023 01 — Effems, CC BY-SA 4.0
- VedutaGesualdo — Andrea Papaccio Napoletano, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences