Benevento
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 6 January 2023
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The city of Benevento is the capital city of the Province of Benevento with a population of 59,200 inhabitants.
Standing at an elevation of 135 metres above sea level, it covers a total area of 129 km² and lies 67 kilometres north east of Naples, the regional capital of Campania. The main sights of Benevento include the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Santa Sofia, a church dating back to the 8th century and representing the Lombard period of rule. |
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Main Sights
Located on Piazza Matteotti, Santa Sofia is a complex of buildings rather than just the church itself; within the complex you'll find the Cloisters of Santa Sofia and the Museo del Sannio while just in front of the church is the bell tower (Campanile di Santa Sofia).
Other notable sights in the city include the Duomo (full name: Cattedrale Metropolitana de Episcopio), the Roman Theatre and the Arch of Trajan. Benevento also has a castle called "Rocca dei Rettori" which is located on Piazza Castello.
With the notable exceptions of the Roman Theatre and the Cathedral, the main sights listed above are largely gathered around Piazza Matteotti. To take in the very best of the city, you can park the car in Piazza Orsini where the cathedral is located and then walk east along the busy thoroughfare of Corso Garibaldi. From the cathedral to Santa Sofia takes around 10 minutes and you'll also pass the Basilica di San Bartolomeo along the way. Piazza Castello is just a few minutes further on from Santa Sofia in the same direction. The Roman Theatre which is a must-see, is located a 5 minute walk south-west of Piazza Orsini.
Benevento's Witches
Since the 13th century, Benevento has been associated with witchcraft and indeed to many, known as the City of Witches. There are numerous theories as to why this may be which in reality, only serves to highlight the fact that we're talking about legend and myth here.
Of course, the job of a myth is to propagate itself and there are no shortage of reminders to the legend as you make your way around modern-day Benevento. Walk along the street and you'll find advertising hoardings promoting the local tipple "Strega", which of course means "Witch", and even if you find it a bit too early to indulge in alcohol, you can always tuck into Strega-branded chocolate.
Brief History
Beneventum as it was known to the Romans was one of the most important cities in the Empire and there are many Roman artefacts still standing that bear witness to this period. Trajan's Arch is the best preserved of those and when it's open, the Roman Theatre is highly evocative. In later years, Benevento went on to become an important seat of rule in the Lombard Kingdom, to which it owes its UNESCO World Heritage Listing under the heading: Longobards in Italy: Places of the Power 568 - 774 AD.
The Lombard period was arguably the most glorious in Benevento's long history; it was during this period that Benevento became a Duchy, a status which it enjoyed for more than 500 years. It's fascinating to look at a map of the Italian Peninsula from 1000 AD and see what a large chunk of it belonged to Benevento. The fact that it shared borders with the Duchy of Amalfi, the Principality of Salerno, the Principality of Capua, the Duchy of Spoleto and the Byzantine Empire, shows just how large these territories and that of Beveneto were at the time.
Travel
Benevento's train station is located two kilometres from Piazza Matteotti, a walk of just over 20 minutes or a 7 minute taxi ride. By train you can reach Caserta in 56 minutes and from there you can either stay on the train as it continues to Rome (total journey time 1 hr 56 minutes) or change and go to Naples which takes just under two hours depending on which time you leave and connection times.
The most convenient airport for Benevento is Naples Capodichino/Naples International Airport which is 94 kilometres away and an hour and a quarter by car.
Located on Piazza Matteotti, Santa Sofia is a complex of buildings rather than just the church itself; within the complex you'll find the Cloisters of Santa Sofia and the Museo del Sannio while just in front of the church is the bell tower (Campanile di Santa Sofia).
Other notable sights in the city include the Duomo (full name: Cattedrale Metropolitana de Episcopio), the Roman Theatre and the Arch of Trajan. Benevento also has a castle called "Rocca dei Rettori" which is located on Piazza Castello.
With the notable exceptions of the Roman Theatre and the Cathedral, the main sights listed above are largely gathered around Piazza Matteotti. To take in the very best of the city, you can park the car in Piazza Orsini where the cathedral is located and then walk east along the busy thoroughfare of Corso Garibaldi. From the cathedral to Santa Sofia takes around 10 minutes and you'll also pass the Basilica di San Bartolomeo along the way. Piazza Castello is just a few minutes further on from Santa Sofia in the same direction. The Roman Theatre which is a must-see, is located a 5 minute walk south-west of Piazza Orsini.
Benevento's Witches
Since the 13th century, Benevento has been associated with witchcraft and indeed to many, known as the City of Witches. There are numerous theories as to why this may be which in reality, only serves to highlight the fact that we're talking about legend and myth here.
Of course, the job of a myth is to propagate itself and there are no shortage of reminders to the legend as you make your way around modern-day Benevento. Walk along the street and you'll find advertising hoardings promoting the local tipple "Strega", which of course means "Witch", and even if you find it a bit too early to indulge in alcohol, you can always tuck into Strega-branded chocolate.
Brief History
Beneventum as it was known to the Romans was one of the most important cities in the Empire and there are many Roman artefacts still standing that bear witness to this period. Trajan's Arch is the best preserved of those and when it's open, the Roman Theatre is highly evocative. In later years, Benevento went on to become an important seat of rule in the Lombard Kingdom, to which it owes its UNESCO World Heritage Listing under the heading: Longobards in Italy: Places of the Power 568 - 774 AD.
The Lombard period was arguably the most glorious in Benevento's long history; it was during this period that Benevento became a Duchy, a status which it enjoyed for more than 500 years. It's fascinating to look at a map of the Italian Peninsula from 1000 AD and see what a large chunk of it belonged to Benevento. The fact that it shared borders with the Duchy of Amalfi, the Principality of Salerno, the Principality of Capua, the Duchy of Spoleto and the Byzantine Empire, shows just how large these territories and that of Beveneto were at the time.
Travel
Benevento's train station is located two kilometres from Piazza Matteotti, a walk of just over 20 minutes or a 7 minute taxi ride. By train you can reach Caserta in 56 minutes and from there you can either stay on the train as it continues to Rome (total journey time 1 hr 56 minutes) or change and go to Naples which takes just under two hours depending on which time you leave and connection times.
The most convenient airport for Benevento is Naples Capodichino/Naples International Airport which is 94 kilometres away and an hour and a quarter by car.
Comune di Benevento
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Province: Benevento
Region: Campania Population: 56,916 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2023) Total size: 129 km² Elevation: 135 metres Highlights: Santa Sofia Complex, Trajan's Arch, Campanile Close by: Sant'Agata de' Goti, Morcone, Montesarchio Recommended accommodation: B&B Domus Traiani Benevento |
By car: Avellino - 49 mins (48 km), Caserta - 1 hour 9 mins (57 km)
By air: Naples International Airport - 1 hr 15 mins by car (94 km) |
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Longobards in Italy: Places of the Power (568-774 A.D.)
Site: The Santa Sofia Complex
Year: 2011
Longobards in Italy: Places of the Power (568-774 A.D.)
Site: The Santa Sofia Complex
Year: 2011
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