Beneventano

<< Campania

The Province of Benevento is located in the northeastern portion of Campania. Its territory features mostly hills and mountains, dotted with small towns. The area has a long and rich history, and houses several ancient landmarks, especially in Benevento. The province was once inhabited by the Samnites, and forms a large portion of the historical region of Samnium.

Benevento

Benevento is a city located in a valley among the mountains of Campania. Anciently inhabited by the Samnites, it was known as Maleventum, and then became a Roman city with the name Beneventum. It was one of the richest cities in the region under the Romans, and later became the seat of a Lombard duchy in the Early Middle Ages. The Duchy of Benevento ruled over a large portion of Southern Italy, but was ultimately annexed by the Kingdom of Sicily in 1077. However, the city of Benevento was given to the pope and remained under papal rule until the unification of Italy, except for a brief period during the Napoleonic Wars. The city is now known for its ancient landmarks and rich history.

✪ Arch of Trajan

The Arch of Trajan (Arco di Traiano) is a Roman triumphal arch in Benevento built in honor of emperor Trajan in the early 2nd century. The arch was built along the important Appian Way that connected Rome with Brindisi, and marked the point where the road split into a northern and southern route. During the Middle Ages, it was included in the fortifications of the city, until it was isolated in the 19th century. The monumental structure is richly adorned with several elaborate reliefs and a large inscription.

✪ Church of Santa Sofia

The Church of Santa Sofia is a church in Benevento founded by the Lombards in the 8th century. The church retains most of its original features, and it is one of the best examples of Lombard architecture, but it has a few Baroque additions, including most of the facade. The church has a central plan and a decorated portal, and it features various medieval frescoes. Adjacent to the church is a monastery that now hosts the Museum of Samnium (Museo del Sannio). This museum houses a large collection of archaeological findings, a section dedicated to the Lombard age, and various other medieval and modern artworks showcasing the long history of Benevento and its province. In front of the church are the bell tower and a fountain adorned with an obelisk.

Church of Sant’Ilario a Port’Aurea

The Church of Sant’Ilario a Port’Aurea is a small church in Benevento located next to the Arch of Trajan. The church was built by the Lombards in the Early Middle Ages, and over time it was included in other buildings, and was only restored in the 20th century. The building is surrounded by a few ruins of what was probably a medieval monastery.

Ancient Ruins of Benevento

Various ancient ruins are located all around Benevento. One of the most notable of these is the Obelisk of the Temple of Isis (Obelisco del Tempio di Iside), which was once part of a Roman temple erected in the 1st century. The city also features another Egyptian statue, the Statue of Apis (Statua di Api), and the Roman cryptoporticus of Santi Quaranta. Near this structure are also the ruins of an amphitheater, while the Roman Arch of Sacramento (Arco del Sacramento) is located in the center of the city.

Benevento Cathedral

Also known as: Metropolitan Cathedral of Santa Maria de Episcopio (Cattedrale Metropolitana di Santa Maria de Episcopio)

The Benevento Cathedral (Duomo di Benevento) is the main religious site in Benevento. Originally built in Romanesque style during the Early Middle Ages, it was later reworked and enlarged a few times. The church was mostly destroyed during World War II, and lost most of its artworks and Baroque decorations. The cathedral was later rebuilt, and still has various medieval frescoes, an ancient crypt, and a few other artworks, including an elaborate bronze door from the Late Middle Ages. Next to the church is a museum of religious artworks.

Roman Theater of Benevento

The Roman Theater of Benevento (Teatro Romano di Benevento) was built in the 2nd century and could house over 10,000 spectators. It was abandoned in the Early Middle Ages and excavated starting in the 19th century. Most of the structure has survived, and it is still used for concerts and spectacles.

Rocca dei Rettori

The Rocca dei Rettori is a fortified palace in Benevento. The area was used as a defensive position since ancient times, and it hosted a monastery in the Middle Ages. The current structure was built by expanding and reworking the monastery around the 16th century. Now it houses a section of the Museum of Samnium.

Walls of Benevento

Benevento still retains various sections of its ancient city walls. Most of the fortifications were built by the Lombards in the Early Middle Ages. Among the surviving sections is the city gate known as Port’Arsa.

Pietrelcina

Pietrelcina is a small town located among the hills north of Benevento. It features a medieval old town, and it is known for being the birthplace of Padre Pio.

Birthplace of Padre Pio

Padre Pio, also known as Saint Pio da Pietrelcina was an Italian priest venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church. His birthplace (Casa Natale di Padre Pio) in Pietrelcina is made up of various small rooms located in the oldest part of the town, and has now been turned into a museum.

Montesarchio

Montesarchio is a town located at the foot of the mountains southwest of Benevento. This was once the site of the ancient Samnite city of Caudium. The modern town emerged in the Middle Ages, and it is now known for its castle.

Montesarchio Castle

The Montesarchio Castle is a fortification located on a hill in the center of the town. The complex was erected in the Middle Ages, and features an imposing tower. The tower and the main building of the castle now host the National Archaeological Museum of the Caudine Samnium (Museo Archeologico Nazionale del Sannio Caudino). The museum has a large collection of ancient archaeological findings from the territory around the town.

Bucciano

Bucciano is a small town located in a valley in the Province of Benevento. It is best known for a nearby sanctuary.

Sanctuary of Madonna del Taburno

The Sanctuary of Madonna del Taburno (Santuario della Madonna del Taburno) is a religious complex erected between the 15th and 16th century on the side of a mountain overlooking Bucciano. The complex houses various artworks and it is a popular site of pilgrimage.

Sant’Agata de’ Goti

Sant’Agata de’ Goti is a small town located among the mountains between Caserta and Benevento. Originally inhabited by the Samnites, the modern town emerged in the Middle Ages. The town is known for its position on the side of a ravine.

Church of San Menna

The Church of San Menna is a church in Sant’Agata de’ Goti, erected between the 11th and 12th century. The church features various Romanesque elements and artworks, and some fragments of medieval frescoes. Just outside the church is the bridge that spans the ravine that divides the town in two. A great view of the ravine and the old town can be enjoyed from here.

Telese Terme

Telese Terme is a town located in a valley between Caserta and Benevento. It was originally a Samnite and Roman city, but it was sacked and destroyed various times, and abandoned after an earthquake in 1349. The town only reemerged since the 19th century, and it is now known for its thermal baths.

Thermal Baths of Telese

Telese Terme is now famous for hosting a thermal complex (Terme di Telese), which was founded in the 19th century. The hot springs were only created after an earthquake in 1349. The thermal baths are located at the foot of a hill, and attract thousands of tourists from the surrounding region.

San Salvatore Telesino

San Salvatore Telesino is a small town located just northwest of Telese Terme. Similarly to Telese Terme, its territory housed an ancient city that was later abandoned, and the modern town only emerged much later.

Abbey of Santissimo Salvatore

The Abbey of Santissimo Salvatore (Abbazia del Santissimo Salvatore) is a Benedictine monastery erected in San Salvatore Telesino around the 10th century. This became one of the most important religious sites in the region during the 12th century, but later declined. The abbey features various ancient artworks and now serves as a museum, housing several archaeological findings from the surrounding territory.