Benevento, the city of two UNESCO sites
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From the Samnite and Roman world to the Lombard and medieval periods
This itinerary will help you discover Benevento, a city with a rich history as a Samnite city, Roman city, and Longobard city. It was also the seat of the papal court. The different rulers left behind an exceptional historical and artistic legacy in the area, which you will see along the route marked on the map.Did you know that two sites in Benevento have been recognized as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO?
The Monumental Complex of the Church of St. Sophia is part of a serial site called "The Lombards in Italy - Places of Power (568-774 AD)." This site includes the most important Longobard monuments in Italy and houses the Museum of Sannio. In July 2024, the 60th Italian site was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Via Appia, Regina Viarum, which passes right through Benevento, precisely where the Arch of Trajan is located, and connects Rome to Brindisi. The Arch of Trajan marks two important passages: the Southern Via Francigena.
Discover all the stages!
Visit the cultural sites of this intinerary with:
Details
Duration: about 2 hours
Route length: 2.5 km
1
Teatro Romano di Benevento
Visit the archaeological area of the Roman Theatre of Benevento with Campania>Artecard, built between the late 1st and early 2nd century AD. The theatre features a semi-circular cavea with a diameter of 98 meters and an orchestra of 30 meters, representing a typical example of an Imperial Roman theatre.
Must-see: One of the two aulae, the rooms on either side of the stage, still retains its polychrome marble paneling.
2
Museo Diocesano di Benevento e percorso archeologico ipogeo
Visit the Diocesan Museum and Hypogeum Route with Campania>Artecard, located within the majestic Benevento Cathedral.
Must-see: Learn about the cathedral's thousand-year history through informative panels, photographic images, virtual reconstructions, and display cases of artifacts found on site.
3
Museo dell’Arco di Traiano
Visit the Museum of the Arch of Trajan with Campania>Artecard, dedicated to narrating the deeds and legacy of Emperor Traiano. This site lies along the Via Francigena del Sud, the ancient pilgrimage route connecting Rome to Santa Maria di Leuca, and the Via Appia, the European consular road, which in 2024 was officially designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Must-see the permanent installation The Tales of the Arch, set up inside the Church of St. Hilary.
4
Museo del Sannio
Visit the Museo del Sannio in Benevento with Campania>Artecard, located within the cloister of the Church of Santa Sofia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011, as part of the serial site "I Longobardi, i luoghi del potere"
Must-seevisit the cloister and observe the capitals of the columns, they are all different. Spot the Ophitic Column, which bears a flat knot, symbolizing the dual human and divine natures of Christ, as well as the Father and Son united by the Holy Spirit.
5
Museo ARCOS
Visit the ARCOS Museum with Campania>Artecard, which houses both the Egyptian Section of the Museo del Sannio, featuring artifacts from the Beneventan Temple dedicated to the goddess Isis, known as the "Lady of Benevento," and the Contemporary Art Section.
Must-see:the statue of Emperor Diocletian, depicted as a Pharaoh.
6
Hortus Conclusus
Visit the Hortus Conclusus in Benevento with Campania>Artecard, a contemporary art installation created in 1992 by Mimmo Paladino, a leading figure of the Italian Transavantgarde movement.
Must-see: look up and admire the Horse, an iconic work by Mimmo Paladino.