Benevento is a city in the southern Italian region of Campania, Italy, about 60 kilometres northeast of Naples. It is the capital of the province of the same name. Near the city, the Sabato and Calore rivers merge.
Benevento travel guide
Useful information
Tourist information: Via Nicola Sala, 31 – Benevento. opening times: From 09:00 till 13:30 and from 15:00 till 16:00.
Town hall: Via Annunziata, 138 – Benevento.
Railway station: The main railway station is a hub between Rome and the main cities in the Puglia region. Apart from this station there are seven smaller ones in the city.
Nearest airport: The city has its own Benevento-Olivola Airport, which is however not being used for commercial travel. The nearest airports are Capodichino (Naples) and the Roman airports of Ciampino and Fiumicino.
Tourist attractions
The main remnants of the Roman period are Trjan’s Arch, the Leproso bridge, the Thermal Baths and the Theater.
The most important religious sites are the Cathedral, the Monastery of Santa Sofia, and the 13th century Church of San Domenico.
More recently built churches are the Chiesa dell’Annunziata, the Sant’Anna Church, the Church of San Filippo, the San Bartolomeo Church (all 18th century) and the Madonna delle Grazie Church (19th century).
The Rocca dei Rettori was constructed in the 14th century. It was constructed on top of a Lombard fortress, which in turn had replace a Roman construction.
A brief history of Benevento
Benevento was founded by an ancient Italic people called the Samnites, who used to live in parts o what are now Molise, Abruzzo and Campania.
In 268 BC, the settlement became a Roman colony and in 86 BC a municipality.
In the year 369, an earthquake struck and destroyed the village.
In the 6th century, Benevento was destroyed by human hands, through Totila, king of the Goths.
Under the Lombards, it became capital of the Duchy of Benevento, which existed from 571 to 1077. This was a period of wealth and cultural advancement.
The Pope was the next ruler, although Benevento was sacked by Frederick II of Swabia in 1229 and again in 1241.
During the 15th century, it was ruled by Ladislao of Durazzo, who was King of Naples from 1386 till 1414. After Ladislao, the House of Aragon took over.
In 1527, it was the turn of Emperor Charles V.
The 17th centuries was characterized by disasters. The Plague killed many people in 1630 and there were earthquakes in 1688 and 1702.
Cardinal Vincenzo Maria Orsini took charge of reconstructing the town.
After King Ferdinand IV of Bourbon had conquered Benevento, the city became part of the Kingdom of Naples in 1768. However, only 6 years later it returned to the Church.
In 1860, after a plebiscite, the city became part of the new Kingdom of Italy.
How to get to Benevento by car
The main street passing through Benevento is the SS7 (Via Appia), between Rome and Brindisi.