Benevento Location Guide

Benevento is surely one of Campania’s most charming and surprising towns to discover. The area surrounded Benevento is called Il Sannio after the mountains to the north.

The town itself was founded by the Samnites, the ancient civilization that dominated the region before the Romans arrived. Today Benevento’s Roman remains are among the city’s top attractions.

Top Things to See and Do
Admire the Roman triumphal Arch of Trajan
Enjoy the Villa Comunale Gardens and views of the surrounding valley at the Rocca dei Rettori Castle.
See the Romanesque Duomo with its bell tower dating from 1279.
Visit the church of Santa Sofia with its evocative 12th-century cloister.
Discover the town’s history at the Sannio Museum
Walk around the ruins of the ancient Roman amphitheatre.
Taste the locally made Strega liqueur.
Walk down Corso Garibaldi, the main street in the historic centre of town and enjoy shopping and the historic monuments.
Enjoy a drive through the countryside stopping at vineyards for a spot of wine tasting.
See the L’Hortus Conclusus art installation in the courtyard of the San Domenico Convent.

Events

September – Benevento Città Spettacolo
Each year, Benevento hosts Città Spettacolo, a drama festival that started in 1980. If your travels take you to Benevento during the summer, the Roman amphitheatre is a magical outdoor setting for opera and classical performances as well as theatre productions.

June/ July –Madonna delle Grazie Festival
In a region that has been tormented over the centuries by earthquakes, plagues and severe bombing during World War II, it is not surprising that the Madonna delle Grazie, or Our Lady of the Graces, is the main patroness of Benevento and the Sannio. The church of the Madonna delle Grazie in Benevento is an important place for pilgrimage and hosts an important religious festival each year from the end of June to beginning of July.

Local Food and Drink

Liquore Strega
Liquore Strega, one of Italy’s most famous liqueurs, has been made in Benevento by the Alberti Family since 1860. Words fail to describe this unusual yellow liqueur with its secret recipe of over 70 different herbs and spices so be sure to taste Benevento’s specialty for yourself. Drink by the glass or in one of the local desserts or chocolates made with Strega.

Torrone
Torrone is a traditional nougat made with nuts, honey and egg whites produced throughout the Benevento province. There are countless varieties of this sweet treat to suit all palates, from hard to chewy, white or chocolate and made with a variety of nuts. Torrone is a classic Christmas candy in Italy, but in Benevento it can be enjoyed any time of the year.

Benevento’s Witches

Benevento’s famous liqueur Strega, which means witch in Italian, refers back to ancient legends of witchcraft in Benevento and its surrounding hillsides. The origin of these legends dates to the 1st century Roman town of Beneventum when the city was home to an active cult dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis. Even after the introduction of Christianity, the mystical rites continued until Benevento’s bishop St. Barbato put an end to them in the 7th century.

How to Get There

Benevento is the capital of the province of Benevento in north eastern Campania. The Benevento province is bordered by the Campanian provinces of Caserta and Avellino to the west and south and the regions of Molise and Apulia to the north and east. Benevento is located 86km (53 miles) northeast of Naples.
By Plane: The Naples Capodichino Airport is the closest major airport to Benevento, providing easy access from many of Italy and Europe’s major cities and from New York.
By Car: Benevento is the largest city in the province, making it easy to reach from most destinations in Campania. From Naples, take the A3 Autostrada toward Avellino and continue on the A16 toward Avellino and Bari until reaching the Benevento exit. The highway will take you to the centre of town.
By Rail: Benevento lies at the midpoint of Italy’s Naples to Foggia line, and the trip from either city to Benevento take about 1 and 15 minutes. Trains run frequently every day of the week from Naples to Benevento.