Casertano

<< Campania

The Province of Caserta occupies the northwestern part of Campania. It features a large plain in the south and along the coast, while to the north are some mountain ranges crossed by a few valleys. Many of the attractions of this province are located in and around Caserta, but the mountains also host various beautiful towns.

Caserta

Caserta is a city in Campania known for its large royal palace. While the area around it has been inhabited since ancient times, the modern town was founded in the Middle Ages, and rose to prominence in the 18th century, when the royal palace was built. The city is now an agricultural and industrial center, and also features a few other historic attractions in the old town.

✪ Royal Palace of Caserta

The Royal Palace of Caserta (Reggia di Caserta) is a huge palace that once served as the residence of the kings of Naples. The palace was designed by Luigi Vanvitelli and was erected during the 18th century near what was once the small town of Caserta. The building is regarded as a masterpiece of Baroque architecture, and it is the largest royal palace in the world. Inside, it features several rooms and halls adorned with countless elaborate paintings, sculptures, frescoes, decorations, and many different kinds of artworks. In front of the palace is an elliptical square, while behind it is a huge park. The park strecthes for 120 hectares, and it is over three kilometers long. Numerous elaborate fountains and other decorations are located here, while at the very end of the park are a tall waterfall and a botanical garden with plants and trees from all over the world.

Belvedere of San Leucio

The Belvedere of San Leucio is a monumental complex located at the foot of the hills in Caserta, near the northern end of the Royal Palace of Caserta. The complex was erected in the 18th century and was supposed to be at the center of a newly-built town, but the project was abandoned during the French Revolutionary Wars. The palace was built over a former hunting lodge and was transformed into a silk production site. Now it hosts a museum hosting ancient industrial machinery and silk products.

Casertavecchia Cathedral

Casertavecchia is the old medieval town of Caserta, located on the hills near the modern city. The Casertavecchia Cathedral (Duomo di Casertavecchia) is the main church of this old town, and it was built in the 12th century. The church is in Romanesque style, and features various medieval artworks and decorations.

Casertavecchia Castle

The Casertavecchia Castle is fortress built in the old town of Caserta during the Late Middle Ages. The castle is now mostly in ruins, but it has been partially restored. Various ancient objects and artworks have been found during archaeological excavations in the castle.

Valle di Maddaloni

Valle di Maddaloni is a town located in a valley among the hills east of Caserta. It is best known for hosting a section of the Caroline Aqueduct.

✪ Caroline Aqueduct

Also known as: Aqueduct of Vanvitelli (Acquedotto di Vanvitelli)

The Caroline Aqueduct (Acquedotto Carolino) is a 38-kilometer-long aqueduct built in the 18th century to bring water from the Apennines to the Royal Palace of Caserta. The structure was designed by Vanvitelli, and mostly runs underground. The most notable section of the aqueduct is located near Valle di Maddaloni. Here, a 56-meter-high and 529-meter-long bridge modeled after Roman aqueducts spans the valley from one side to the other. The aqueduct is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites together with the Royal Palace of Caserta and the Belvedere of San Leucio.

Santa Maria Capua Vetere

Santa Maria Capua Vetere is a town just northwest of Caserta. In ancient times this was the site of a city called Capua, which flourished under the Romans. Capua was destroyed in 841 by the Saracens, and the modern town only emerged over the following centuries. Now the city is mostly known for its ancient ruins.

✪ Amphitheater of Capua

The Amphitheater of Capua (Anfiteatro Campano) is a large Roman amphitheater in Santa Maria Capua Vetere. One of the first amphitheaters built by the Romans, it inspired the construction of the Colosseum in Rome, and was second in size only to the Colosseum itself. Damaged during the Early Middle Ages, it was partially demolished, and its materials were used for other buildings. Excavated since the 18th century, now it is a major tourist attraction, and the main Roman landmark in the area. Next to the amphitheater is a museum dedicated to ancient gladiators.

Roman Ruins of Santa Maria Capua Vetere

Other than its large amphitheater, Santa Maria Capua Vetere also houses a few more Roman ruins. Near the amphitheater is the Arch of Hadrian (Arco di Adriano), a triumphal arch erected between the 1st and 2nd century. Not far from there is the Domus Confuleius, a Roman house adorned with several mosaics. Another notable landmark is the Mithraeum (Mitreo), an underground religious site built for the Cult of Mithras in the 2nd century, and decorated with ancient frescoes.

Archaeological Museum of Ancient Capua

The Archaeological Museum of Ancient Capua (Museo Archeologico dell’Antica Capua) is a museum in Santa Maria Capua Vetere dedicated to the history of the ancient town of Capua. The museum houses numerous archaeological ruins unearthed in the city and the surrounding region, with objects and artworks dating between prehistory and the Roman age, also including several Roman statues and Greek vases.

Teatro Garibaldi

Teatro Garibaldi is a theater erected at the end of the 19th century in Santa Maria Capua Vetere. It features a monumental facade, and it is adorned with various decorations. The theater also hosts a museum dedicated to theater and cinema.

Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is the main church of Santa Maria Capua Vetere. Originally built in the 5th century, it was later destroyed and rebuilt during the Middle Ages. Its current appearance dates from the 17th century, when it was restored in Baroque style. The church is adorned with some Baroque decorations and various artworks.

Capua

Capua is a city in the Province of Caserta. While it takes its name from the ancient city of Capua, now Santa Maria Capua Vetere, the modern Capua actually sits on the site of the Roman town of Casilinum. The modern Capua developed after the ancient one was destroyed, and became the capital of an independent principality before being annexed by the Kingdom of Sicily in the 12th century. The town is now known for hosting various historic landmarks.

Roman Bridge of Capua

The Roman Bridge of Capua (Ponte Romano di Capua) is an ancient bridge in Capua, crossing the Volturno river. Originally built during the Roman age, it was reworked in the 13th century as a city gate, with the addition of some towers. Later destroyed and rebuilt twice, the current structure has been erected after World War II.

Capua Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta)

The Capua Cathedral (Duomo di Capua) is the main religious site in Capua. Founded in the 9th century and reworked several times, it was mostly destroyed during World War II and then rebuilt. The church features a blend of Romanesque and Baroque elements, and houses various interesting artworks. The cathedral also houses a museum of religious artworks.

Campania Provincial Museum of Capua

The Campania Provincial Museum of Capua (Museo Provinciale Campano di Capua) is a museum in Capua dedicated to local history, art, and archaeology. The museum houses a rich collection of archaeological findings from the Roman and pre-Roman age, and artworks from the Middle Ages and the Modern era.

Abbey of Sant’Angelo in Formis

The Abbey of Sant’Angelo in Formis (Abbazia di Sant’Angelo in Formis) is a medieval abbey located at the foot of the mountains near Capua. This was once the site of a Roman temple, while the church was founded by the Lombards in the 6th century. Later reworked several times, its current appearance dates from the 11th and 12th century. The building has a Romanesque structure and houses large and elaborate medieval frescoes.

San Tammaro

San Tammaro is a town located next to Santa Maria Capua Vetere, best known for the royal palace located in the nearby countryside.

Royal Palace of Carditello

The Royal Palace of Carditello (Reggia di Carditello) is a large 18th-century palace located in the countryside southwest of San Tammaro. The palace was used as an agricultural center and hunting lodge, but was abandoned after the unification of Italy. Now restored, it can be visited and features some decorated halls and a few artworks.

Aversa

Aversa is a city in the Province of Caserta, located at the center of a rural plain known as Agro Aversano. The town emerged during the Middle Ages as the capital of a Norman county and remained one of the most important centers in the area for centuries, until its decline following the plague epidemic of 1656. The city is now an agricultural center, and still features a few historic attractions.

Aversa Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of San Paolo (Cattedrale di San Paolo)

The Aversa Cathedral (Duomo di Aversa) is the main church of the city, and the seat of the Diocese of Aversa, founded in 1053. The church was built in the 11th century, and was later reworked a few times. Inside, it houses various Baroque artworks and decorations, and a pre-Romanesque sculpture of Saint George and the Dragon. The cathedral also houses a museum with religious artworks.

Arco dell’Annunziata

The Arco dell’Annunziata is an 18th-century city gate located at the southern edge of the center of Aversa, adjacent to the Church of Annunziata. The decorated portal features a clock tower, and it is now regarded as the symbol of Aversa.

Succivo

Succivo is a town in the Province of Caserta, located east of Aversa. This area once hosted the ancient city of Atella, inhabited by the Osci and later the Romans. Atella later declined, and was abandoned in favor of Aversa in the 11th century. Various ruins of Atella can be found in Succivo and the nearby towns.

Archaeological Museum of Agro Atellano

The Archaeological Museum of Agro Atellano (Museo Archeologico dell’Agro Atellano) is a museum in Succivo, dedicated to the ancient city of Atella. The museum houses archaeological remains and ancient artworks found around this area, and dating between prehistory and the Roman age.

Mondragone

Mondragone is a coastal town located on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea in the Province of Caserta. The area has been inhabited since ancient times, but the modern town only emerged in the Middle Ages. Mondragone is a now a seaside resort along a coastal area known as Domitian Coast.

Ducal Palace of Mondragone

The Ducal Palace of Mondragone (Palazzo Ducale di Mondragone) is a historic palace located in the center of Mondragone. Erected in the Late Middle Ages, the building has some decorations, and now houses a museum of local history with artworks and archaeological findings.

Sessa Aurunca

Sessa Aurunca is a town in the Province of Caserta, located south-west of the extinct volcano of Roccamonfina. This area was once inhabited by the Aurunci, an Italic tribe that had their main center in the town of Suessa. That city was later abandoned in favor of the modern Sessa Aurunca, which flourished during the Roman age. Sessa Aurunca now features some ancient ruins.

Roman Theater of Sessa Aurunca

The ruins of the Roman Theater of Sessa Aurunca (Teatro Romano di Sessa Aurunca) are located near the center of the town. One of the largest Roman theaters in Campania, it was erected in the 1st century on the side of a hill, and was abandoned after being damaged by an earthquake in 346. The site was excavated in the 20th century, and features various sections of the ancient structure.

Teano

Teano is a town located at the eastern side of the extinct volcano of Roccamonfina in the Province of Caserta. In ancient times, it was known as Teanum Sidicinum, and was the capital of the Oscan tribe of the Sidicini. Later ruled by the Romans, it remained a center of regional importance for centuries. In 1860, this was the site of the meeting between Giuseppe Garibaldi, who had defeated the army of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, and the King of Sardinia Victor Emmanuel II, an important moment of the unification of Italy. The town also features some ancient ruins.

Archaeological Museum of Teanum Sidicinum

The Archaeological Museum of Teanum Sidicinum (Museo Archeologico di Teanum Sidicinum) is a museum in Teano dedicated to the ancient history of the town. Its collection includes several archaeological findings dating from prehistory until the Early Middle Ages.

Roman Theater of Teano

Just outside Teano are the ruins of the ancient Roman Theater (Teatro Romano) of the town. Built in the 2nd century BCE and later expanded, it was one of the largest theaters in the region. Abandoned in the 4th century, it is now an archaeological site.

Piedimonte Matese

Piedimonte Matese is a town located at the foot of the Matese massif, part of the Apennines, in the Province of Caserta. The town emerged in the Middle Ages, and has been a small regional center ever since. Until 1970, its name was Piedimonte d’Alife.

Raffaele Marrocco Civic Museum

The Raffaele Marrocco Civic Museum (Museo Civico Raffaele Marrocco) is a museum located in a former monastery in Piedimonte Matese. The museum houses several artworks and archaeological findings, hosted in various richly adorned halls. Its collection also includes various objects showcasing local history and culture.