Zungoli, the crossroads village of Irpinia

Zungoli, the medieval crossroads village of Irpinia, is a charming gem listed among Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages. It holds a millennia-old history rooted in Roman times, as evidenced by archaeological finds and ancient roads like the Appian, Traiana, and Herculean ways. According to Flavio Biondi, the name may derive from Castrum Curuli, linked to the Norman captain Curulo, while other scholars trace it to the Byzantine surname Zùngolo, from Kurulos (“little lord”). The village began to flourish around the year 1000, when rural populations gathered around the Norman castle, successor to a Byzantine tower that still stands as a symbol of the town. With winding alleys, stone stairways, and Roman-era caves, Zungoli offers an authentic charm that blends nature, history, and culture, inviting visitors on a captivating journey through time.

The village’s treasures

Among Zungoli’s jewels is the Norman Castle, built in the 11th century and once equipped with four cylindrical towers aligned with the cardinal points. From medieval fortress to noble residence, it was transformed in the 16th century by the Loffredo family and later owned by the Marquises Susanna of Sant’Eligio. Today, its grandeur still dominates the village, narrating centuries of history.

Equally evocative is the Convent of San Francesco of the Reformed Minor Friars, established in the late 16th century atop the ruins of the Church of San Cataldo, destroyed by the 1456 earthquake. Located at the foot of the village, outside the walls, the complex includes a small adjacent church, recently restored, which houses the Madonna dell’Incoronata, beloved by shepherds and tied to the ancient tradition of the tratturi (seasonal migration routes).

Events in the village

“September, let’s go, it’s time to migrate” is a cultural and sports tourism itinerary launched in 2002, retracing in seven stages the Royal Tratturo Pescasseroli-Candela on horseback or mountain bike, crossing Abruzzo, Molise, Campania, and Puglia. In Zungoli and other villages along the route, the tradition of transhumance lives on through flavors: the renowned caciocavallo podolico, made only from March to June with milk from grazing cows, is the emblem of this heritage. Completing the typical table are cheeses, artisanal cured meats like soppressata and prosciutto, and excellent local olive oil that enhances traditional cuisine.

cover photo credits PFMphotostock