Frigento: the suspended Village of Irpinia

Perched on three hills at over 900 meters above sea level, overlooking five regions and eleven provinces, Frigento is one of the highest and most fascinating villages of Irpinia.

The name “Frigento,” of uncertain origin, may be linked to water or wheat. With Samnite roots, it has been inhabited for millennia. Loyal to Rome, its inhabitants obtained privileges. Devastated by the Saracens (926) and an earthquake (986), it passed to the Normans in 1078, then to the Gesualdo and Filangieri families. During the wars between the Angevins and Aragonese, it suffered a fire (1496). Already a Christian center in ancient times, it had a diocese later suppressed in 1818. After the 1732 earthquake, it experienced a cultural rebirth. In 1806, its feudal era under the Caracciolo family ended. Today, Frigento preserves a rich historical and religious heritage.

What to See in Frigento

Frigento offers a wealth of historical, cultural, and scenic treasures. The Panoramica Limiti provides a breathtaking 360° view spanning 5 regions and 11 provinces. At the heart of the village stands the Cathedral, whose ceiling is decorated with evocative 18th-century canvases by Antonio Vecchione da Nola. In the Cathedral’s Hypogeum, visitors can admire remains of the ancient 8th–9th century building and mysterious drainage channels.

Palazzo De Leo, now the House of Culture, hosts the FriMact Museum, divided into two sections: archaeology and contemporary art. Along the streets, you’ll find elegant 18th-century palaces with portals in Irpinian breccia. Inside the Town Hall are plaster busts by the renowned local sculptor Carmine Genua. Finally, don’t miss the imposing Roman Cisterns, dating back to the 1st century BC, built in opus incertum.

Events, Culture, and Traditions

During Lent, the Cathedral displays the Misteri, evocative 19th-century papier-mâché representations of Christ’s Passion. From August 11 to 13, for over 40 years, a lively folk festival has been celebrated, animated by the traditional sound of the accordion. On Ferragosto (August 15), the grain rituals are renewed: in the evening, large carts with sheaves are pulled by oxen through the streets. On August 16, during the procession of San Rocco, women carry on their heads the typical mezzetti, sheaf arrangements decorated with flowers and ribbons, as a sign of devotion.

What to See Around Frigento

Thanks to its strategic position, Frigento is an ideal starting point for exploring Alta Irpinia. Nearby are the Sanctuary of Montevergine, the WWF Oasis of Lake Conza, the picturesque village of Gesualdo with its castle, and the thermal waters of Villamaina. For nature lovers, the Partenio Regional Park offers hiking trails and spectacular scenery in every season.

photo  credits Wirestock Creators