May of Monuments in Monteforte Irpino

The May of Monuments in Monteforte Irpino

Every spring, the May of Monuments reopens sites of memory and local identity throughout Campania. In Monteforte Irpino, a town in the province of Avellino, the 2026 edition took the form of a broad and structured project titled “Monteforte Irpino: History, Land, and Community”: an entire month of distributed events, born from the May of Monuments and the May of Books but designed as a wider journey to rediscover the town's identity.

The Lombard Castle and the San Martino area

The heart of the event is the San Martino area, at the foot of the Lombard castle that overlooks the town from the top of the hill. The fortress, with its characteristic octagonal plan, was built in the Lombard era and later expanded during the Angevin and Aragonese periods: it is the symbol of Monteforte and the natural backdrop for the May festivities. Next to the castle, visitors can explore the Church of San Martino, dedicated to the town's patron saint, and the Church of Maria SS. del Carmelo, both open to the public with guided tours during the festival.

“We Irpinia”: Opening with local wines

The inaugural day, Sunday, May 3, 2026, starting at 11:30 AM, hosted the Monteforte leg of “We Irpinia” in San Martino, a format born from Vinitaly to showcase Irpinian wineries outside of trade fairs. Tastings of Irpinian wines and local products were interspersed with live music, theatrical performances, show cooking, and medieval re-enactments: costumed performers and period music brought the village back to its medieval roots for a day. The inauguration was attended by Mayor Fabio Siricio, City Councilor for Tourism and Agriculture Katia Renzulli — who promoted the project — the President of the Province of Avellino Rizieri Buonopane, and the Regional Councilor for Tourism Enzo Maraio.

The May program

• Sunday, May 3 — Inauguration in San Martino with “We Irpinia,” tastings, show cooking, music, theater, medieval re-enactments, and guided church tours;
• Saturday, May 9 — Launch of “Quartieri in fiore” (Neighborhoods in Bloom) in Piazza Umberto, with florist stands and the start of the competition;
• Sunday, May 17 — “Nature and Community: Towards Monte Carafone,” a hike along the trails leading up the mountain;
• Sunday, May 31 — Closing ceremony with the “Quartieri in fiore” awards, pottery workshops, and floral displays organized by the Fenestrelle association;
• Throughout the month — The “Monteforte Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow” cultural cycle, featuring meetings, nature walks, and open days at local farms.

“Monteforte Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow”

The cultural cycle running throughout the month is the true common thread of the project: writers, scholars, local experts, young people, and adults engage in an intergenerational dialogue between historical memory and visions for the future. This is where the link with the May of Books becomes most evident, with meetings and presentations accompanying the opening of the monuments.

Quartieri in fiore: A community caring for its town

“Quartieri in fiore” is the most participatory part of the festival: a competition that involves citizens, schools, and associations in the care and beautification of shared urban spaces. Balconies, alleys, and courtyards fill with flowers all month long; on May 31, the awards ceremony concludes the journey alongside pottery workshops and floral exhibits.

A festival with a strong sense of solidarity

Part of the proceeds from the inaugural day was donated to the GiovaMenti and Restart Monteforte associations and the “Gli amici di Pasqualino e Pakito” group, in support of initiatives dedicated to the memory of members of the Monteforte community. Culture and remembrance walked hand in hand in this edition: it is one of the hallmarks that distinguish the Monteforte May from other Irpinian events.

Monteforte Irpino, a gateway to Irpinia

Overlooking the saddle that connects the Avellino basin to the Campanian plain, the Municipality of Monteforte Irpino belongs to the Partenio-Vallo di Lauro Mountain Community and is one of the gateways to Irpinia. Chestnut forests, trails toward Monte Carafone, and a town center gathered around the castle: the May of Monuments is the best opportunity to discover this corner of inland Campania, just a stone's throw from Naples.