L'Arcibasilica SS. Maria Annunziata
Paleochristian basilica, one of the oldest of Irpinia, is priceless for in terms of historical, religious and archaeological value. In the impressive Basilica are also held various cultural and musical events throughout the year. In the years between 1950 and 1951, researches unearthed the foundations and the lower part of the two churches, behind the tuff, where today is located the newest part of the basilica. The wall structure of both has many similarities with that of other Lombard buildings. They were cemetery churches, given the graves discovered in there. The ancient Basilica has a single nave and flattened barrel vault, is the inner part of the religious structure. Its realization was made using materials and fragments of Roman times. The catacombs, adjacent to the Basilica, probably date back to the second or third century and are located on the left side of the Basilica. Dug out of tuff they were originally burial place and then a place of worship. The catacomb is topped by the “Grotta dell’angelo” (Cave of the Angel), a vast basin, in the hill tuff. With the end of the persecutions following the Edict of Milan in 313 by Emperor Constantine, the tuff structure was demolished and the primitive Basilica was built. The Byzantine period (VI-IX century) is the period of enlargement and of beautification of the Basilica, also through the realization of several frescoes, unfortunately lost.