The town of Arpaia is strategically located in the valley between Mount Tairano and Mount Castello.
The city was first mentioned under the name ‘Appadium’ in the 12th century, suggesting that the name derived from the Appian Way on which the city was located.
Some historians agree that the ‘gola’ corresponds to what Titus Livius described as the place where the Roman soldier ‘Forche Caudine’ failed miserably. For centuries, it was an important strategic point and an obligatory passage of goods and troops to Puglia. Over the centuries, it was at the centre of many war conflicts, especially between the Aragonese and Angevins.
Conquered by the Aragonese in 1438 and owned by Ferrante D’Aragona in 1461, from 1591 it became the territory of the Guevara, Arienzo, Carafa, Caracciolo and De Capua families until the feudal system was abandoned.
Today, the population of Arpaia is around 2050 inhabitants and local production consists mainly in cereals and fruit.