ETIMOLOGY AND HISTORY

It is a jewel set in a gentle hill dominated by the magnificent castle dating back to the twelfth century and built on an ancient Rome garrison of 146 B.C. The castle overlooks the village with its surrounding walls. The first wall is crenellated and in good conditions; it runs 2000 meters long and has battlemented curtains with loopholes and 14 towers. The small community counts 51 inhabitants. They are all very proud of their cultural heritage, which represents the collective memory of these people. This legacy expresses itself in the landscape, in the balance with rural spaces, in the everyday life pace, in costumes and cultural and socio-economic traditions.

The local activity is characterized by an agricultural production and by a hospitality culture outside the hotel industry, with restaurant and entertainment businesses and other local resources. The fortified complex of Terravecchia is located in a very special area of Valle Picentina. This area is a haven of rest surrounded by olive tree groves, ancient places of worship, narrow alleys and staircases with dry stone walls. The trails meet and cross toward the Castle, or run down the hillside towards Giffoni, like “Sentiero della Stampella” (Stampella path).