A few kilometres from Avellino, along the valley of the Sabato river, lies one of the oldest and least-known places in Campania: the Basilica of the Santissima Annunziata in Prata di Principato Ultra. It is an Early Christian church partly carved into the rock, built next to a burial area dating from the first centuries of Christianity.
What to see
The building is striking for its apse cut into the tuff and for the paintings preserved on its walls, with figures of saints and sacred scenes from different periods. Beside the basilica is the catacomb, with burial niches dug into the rock: a rare sight in Irpinia, which tells how the first Christian communities lived and buried their dead in this valley.
All around, the landscape is typical of Irpinia's wine country: hills planted with vineyards, small villages and the course of the Sabato. Prata also lies within the Greco di Tufo area, and a visit to the basilica is easy to combine with a drive through the hills.
Planning your visit
The basilica is not always open: before setting off, it is worth asking the town hall or the parish about opening times and the possibility of a guided tour, which really helps you understand the frescoes and the history of the site. Prata is about twenty minutes from Avellino, leaving the link road towards the Sabato valley.
Nearby
From Prata you can reach Tufo, with its old sulphur mines, and Altavilla Irpina in just a few minutes. Towards Avellino, Atripalda is worth a stop for the archaeological park of Abellinum, the Roman town from which Avellino grew.
When to go
Spring and autumn are the best seasons: in May the hills around Prata are green and in bloom, while October brings the Greco di Tufo grape harvest and the villages of the Sabato valley hold festivals and open-cellar days. In summer the basilica, partly carved into the rock, stays cool even on the hottest days, but it is best to plan your visit for the morning.
Read also: Three DOCGs in three days: a wine itinerary in Irpinia
