Santissima Annunziata Cathedral in Prata di Principato UltraThe Paleochristian church in Prata Principato Ultra

11 km away from Avellino there is the hamlet of Prata di Principato Ultra where you can visit the catacomb complex and the Santissima Annunziata Cathedral, two important evidences of the Christian history in the Irpinia region.

This hamlet is easy to reach: drive along the A16 highway and take the exit signposted Avellino est, then proceed along the SS7 state road towards Montemiletto and take the SP113 provincial road following the directions to Prata di Principato Ultra.

Once you reach the hamlet centre, proceed along via Nocelleto and then continue along via Annunziata to get to the Santissima Annunziata Cathedral in Prata di Principato Ultra, a Romanesque style gem dug in the rock by the first Lombard Christians.

The church consists of two structures: the new cathedral recently renovated that corresponds to the entrance, and the ancient Paleochristian Cathedral that dates back to the 6th century AD, that is right beside the perfectly preserved catacombs dug in the tuff, with the grotta dell’Angelo (Angel grotto) above, that has many beautiful frescoes, such as the one depicting the Archangel Gabriel with the Virgin Mary.

You can book a tour of the grotto calling the Congregazione Piccole Apostole Redenzione Istituto Annunziata at 0825961019.

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The recreation of the “volo degli angeli” (flight of the angels), a week after Easter, is an event very dear to Prata people. It consists in two girls dressed up as angels floating in the air while singing the “Ave Maria” song.

At the end of the song, the procession begins: people take the Virgin Mary statue around the whole hamlet on both Saturday and Sunday, then they take it back to the Annunziata Cathedral.

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