Benevento is a magical city, its history full of mysteries, myths and legends. One of the best known is certainly about the witches, called janare in the local dialect, who used to gather under a nut tree near the Sabato river. A famous liqueur typical of Benevento’s culture is named “strega” (witch). Not only that, the city of Campania is rich in historical spots that make it unique.
The Arch of Trajan
A historic and magnificent monument, it has preserved in an excellent state over the centuries. Fifteen metres high, its construction began in 114 A.D. to celebrate the opening of Via Traiana, now called Via Appia, which connected the city to Brindisi.
The Roman Theatre
It was built between the end of the 1st and the beginning of the 2nd century A.D. at the wish of Hadrian and was later extended by Emperor Caracalla. Originally it was composed of numerous arches, today unfortunately only part of them have survived.
The Church of St Sophia
Consecrated in 774 A.D., the Church of St Sophia has had numerous renovations over the centuries. Originally Longobard, it was rebuilt by Pope Benedict XIII after two earthquakes in the late 1600s and early 1700s in the Baroque style. The particularity of the church is, in fact, the interweaving of different artistic canons in its layout, making it a singular and unusual structure.
Hortus Conclusus
The Hortus Conclusus is an open-air museum located along Vico Noce whose major exponent is the artist Mimmo Paladino, related to the Italian Transavanguardia movement. A unique work created in 1992 within the walls of the former convent of San Domenico, it combines nature, art and myth. The name of the installation derives from Latin and its meaning is linked to the ancient meaning of an indoor and isolated garden where ascetics used to approach God through meditation.
Rocca dei Rettori
A mix of Roman, Samnite and medieval art characterises the charm of the Rocca dei Rettori. Also known as Benevento or Manfredi Castle, it was founded on the place of a Longobard palace. Having fallen victim to numerous earthquakes, all that remains is the central tower and the ruins of a Roman funeral monument.
Paul V Palace
A symbol of Mannerist architecture, the Paul V palace was built in 1589 by Giovanni Battista Fontana on the order of the future Paul V, Pope Paul Borghese. Today, it can be admired along Corso Garibaldi.
