Benevento

Benevento is a city and comune in the Campania region of southern Italy, and the capital of the Province of Benevento. It sits along the Calore Irpino river at the foot of the Taburno massif, in the historic Sannio area. The city has a long urban history that dates back to the ancient Samnite era and continued through Roman, medieval, and modern periods.

In antiquity the city was known as Beneventum and was an important Samnite center before falling under Roman influence. It remained an active urban location into late antiquity and the Middle Ages. A pivotal moment in its medieval history occurred in 1266, when Charles I of Anjou defeated Manfred of Sicily at the Battle of Benevento, cementing Angevin rule over the Kingdom of Naples.

Benevento is home to several notable monuments. The Arch of Trajan, a Roman triumphal arch dating from around 114 CE, stands in the city center. The Basilica of Santa Sofia, a Lombard-era church, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site Longobards in Italy: Places of the Power (568-774 A.D.). Other important landmarks include the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (the Duomo), the remains of a Roman theatre, and the Rocca dei Rettori, a medieval fortress that overlooks the city.

Culturally, Benevento serves as a regional hub for tourism, history, and wine production. The surrounding Sannio area is known for its wines, including varieties such as Aglianico del Taburno, and for agricultural products that support the local economy.

The city also hosts a professional football club, Benevento Calcio, which has competed in Italy’s top leagues. The team is commonly associated with the nickname Stregoni, or The Witches, reflecting local folklore.