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Beneventum
Benevento occupies the site of the ancient Beneventum, originally Maleventum or more correctly Maloeis (derived from the Greek word for apple malon). The Romans' theory that it meant "the site of bad wind" is no longer considered by historians today. Some older (and more speculative) authors also proposed it could mean "a place of crazy people", as in ancient times it was supposed that mad people had a sort of wind storm inside their head). In the imperial period it was supposed to have been founded by Diomedes after the Trojan War.
Main monuments
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Triumphal arch |
The importance of Benevento in classical times is vouched for by the many remains of antiquity which it possesses, of which the most famous is the triumphal arch erected in honour of Trajan by the senate and people of Rome in 114, with important reliefs relating to its history. Enclosed in the walls, this construction marked the entrance in Benevento of the Via Traiana, the road built by the Spanish emperor to shorten the path from Rome to Brindisi. The reliefs show the civil and military deeds of Trajan. |
Cathedral |
The Cathedral of S. Maria Assunta, with its fine arcaded façade and incomplete square campanile (begun in 1279) dates from the 9th century. It was rebuilt in 1114. The façade was inspired by the Pisane Gothic style. Its bronze doors, adorned with bas-reliefs, are notable example of Romanesque art which may belong to the beginning of the 13th century. The interior is in the form of a basilica, the double aisles carried on ancient columns. There are ambones resting on columns supported by lions, and decorated with reliefs and coloured marble mosaic, and a candelabrum of 1311. A marble statue of the apostle San Bartolomeo, by Nicola da Monteforte, is also from the 14th century.
The massive bell tower was built in 1269 by the archbishop Romano Capodiferro. |
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Roman theatre |
The well-preserved ancient theatre, next to the Cathedral and the Port'Arsas. This grandious building was erected by Hadrian, and later expanded by Caracalla. It had a diameter of 90 meters and could house up to 10,000 spectators. It is currently used for theatral, dance and opera spectacles. |
Santa sofia |
The church of Santa Sofia is a circular Lombard edifice of about 760, now modernized, of small proportions: it can be enclosed within a circle of 23,50 m of diameter. It is one of the most important examples of European architecture of the High Middle Ages. The plant was very original for the times: it consists of a central hexagon with, at each vertex, columns taken from the temple of Isis; these are connected by arches which support the cupola. The inner hexagon is in turn enclosed in a decagonal ring with eight white limestone pilasters and two columns next to the entrance. The church has a fine cloister of the 12th century, constructed in part of fragments of earlier buildings. The church interior was once totally frescoed by Byzantine artists: fragments of these paintings, portraying the Histories of Christ, can be still seen in the two side apses.
Santa Sofia was almost destroyed by the earthquake of 1688, and rebuilt in Baroque forms by commission of the then cardinal Orsini of Benevento (later Pope Benedict XIII). The original forms were hidden, and were recovered only after the discussed restoration of 1951.
The cloiser give access to the Samnium Museum, with notable sections of remains from Ancient age and Middle Ages. These include an obelisk, one of the two that once decorated the Temple of Isis. The other one can be still seen in the city, in the central Piazza Papiniano. |
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Accomodation
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Hotel Villa Traiano * * * *
Viale Dei Rettori, 9
Tel. 0824 326241 - FAX 0824 326196
Grand Hotel Italiano * * * *
Viale Principe di Napoli, 137
Tel. 0824 24111 - 0824 24923
President Hotel * * * *
Via Perasso, 1
Tel.0824 316715 - 0824 316716
Hotel DG Garden * * * *
Contrada San Chirico
Tel. & fax 0824 25331
Hotel De La Ville* * *
C.da Piano Cappelle
Tel. 0824 313787 - 0824 313796
Albergo Della Corte * *
Piazza Piano Di Corte, 11
Tel. 0824 54819
Albergo Genova *
V.le Principe di Napoli, 103
Tel. 0824 42926
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Eating out
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Restaurant Antica Cucina Pedicini
Piazza Bissolati,12 Tel. 0824 21731
Restaurant Ambrosino A.
C.da San Vitale Tel. 0824 335265
Restaurant Bar Italiano
Viale Principe di Napoli,12 Tel. 0824 24840
Restaurant La Pentolaccia
Via B. Camerario Tel. 0824 43931
Restaurant Le Vecchie Carrozze
C.da Piano Cappelle Tel. 0824 778115
Restaurant Locanda Delle Streghe
Via Manciotti,11 Tel.0824 29873
Restaurant Nunzia
Via Annunziata Tel. 0824 29431
Restaurant Pizzeria Al Vicoletto
Via P. De Caro, 15 Tel. 0824 47424
Restaurant Pizzeria Da Ruggiero
P.zza Matteotti Tel. 0824 29632
Restaurant Pizzeria Papavero Rosso
Via Pacevecchia Tel. 0824 53466
Restaurant Pizzeria Pino e Gina
Via Cassella, n.48 Tel. 0824 24947
Restaurant Pizzeria Rodolfo
Via A. Meomartini Tel. 0824 51761
Restaurant Pizzeria Samarcanda
V.le Principe di Napoli Tel. 0824 42160
Restaurant Pizzeria Traiano
Via G. Manciotti, 48 Tel. 0824 25013
Restaurant Pizzeria Villa Fontana
Via Della Lunigiana,8 Tel. 0824 63780
Restaurant Polvere di Stelle
Via A. Meomartini Tel. 0824 310049
Restaurant Teatro Gastronomico
Via Traiano, 65 Tel. 0824 54605
Trattoria Il Cinghiale
Via Annunziata, 19 Tel. 0824 50220 |
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Monuments