Benevento: UNESCO culture, Roman history and local specialties

Benevento combines Lombard culture, Roman history and southern Italian specialties to create a diverse destination. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home for their stay can use their own interests as the starting point for planning: Would you like to discover museums and historic buildings, learn about culinary traditions or give particular consideration to travelling by train? In Benevento, these priorities can be combined.

UNESCO culture and medieval art

An important cultural landmark is the Chiostro di Santa Sofia. Since 2011, together with the Chiesa di Santa Sofia, it has formed part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “The Longobards in Italy. The Places of Power”. The cloister was rebuilt in the 12th century under Abbot Giovanni IV. The history of Lombard heritage and medieval architecture therefore converge at this site.

The Janua Maior also offers a special gateway to art history. The bronze door was cast in the third quarter of the 12th century. Art historians regard it as one of the most outstanding examples of medieval art in southern Italy. For visitors who enjoy focusing on individual details, it can be a rewarding destination during a culture-oriented day.

Museums offering different historical perspectives

The Museo del Sannio houses more than 50,000 exhibits. The collection spans the period from prehistory to the present day, offering a broad perspective on the development of the region. The exhibition tour follows a chronological order across two floors of the monumental Santa Sofia complex and through several rooms of the historic Palazzo Casiello.

This chronological arrangement is interesting for trip planning if you want to visit more than just a single building and understand the historical connections. Families can combine different interests: while some travellers may prefer the archaeological collection, others may find the medieval rooms or more recent exhibits particularly fascinating.

Roman history around the Arco di Traiano

The Arco di Traiano was built between 114 and 117 at the beginning of the new Via Traiana. It was intended to honour and highlight the rule of Emperor Trajan. Today, the arch is considered one of the most significant monuments of Roman artistic production. Its history complements the visit to the medieval sites with a much older era.

You can also visit the Museo dell’Arco in the nearby Chiesa di Sant’Ilario. It is a multimedia installation that uses the reliefs of the arch to illustrate the life and deeds of Emperor Trajan. Anyone who wants to connect historical depictions with additional information rather than simply viewing them can include both attractions in their cultural itinerary.

The cathedral of Maria Santissima Assunta offers another historical perspective. An archaeological tour was inaugurated beneath its new flooring on 18 December 2012. This broadens the view of Benevento by providing an insight into archaeological remains beneath a religious building.

Torrone and Strega as part of the townscape

Benevento is also associated with two culinary specialties. Torrone has long been widely produced here. The classic Torrone di Benevento is a dessert made from egg white, honey, hazelnuts and almonds. Travellers who enjoy discovering regional traditions through typical products can make room for this sweet topic in their plans.

The Strega liqueur originated in Benevento in 1860. It is made by distilling around 70 herbs and spices. Together with torrone, it shapes a culinary side of the destination that differs from its historic buildings and museums. Accommodation in Benevento can therefore suit a trip where culture and local cuisine are equally important.

Getting there and choosing accommodation

Benevento railway station offers train connections to the most important Italian cities. If you plan your holiday apartment around your preferred mode of travel, this rail connection is a relevant factor. When making your final accommodation choice, it is also worth deciding on the focus of your trip: a culture-oriented itinerary has different priorities from a stay centred primarily on culinary discoveries.

For additional trip planning, you can also look at the pages on Colle Sannita, Buonalbergo, Fragneto Monforte, Paduli, Sant'agata Dé Goti, Pannarano, Morcone and Melizzano. Benevento itself offers an unusually dense combination of UNESCO heritage, monumental Roman art, museums and regional specialties.

For the main travel overview: Benevent.