Planning an idyllic voyage throughout Italy this summer time, ticking off all the vital landmarks?# From the floating canal metropolis of Venice, to Rome’s millennia-old monuments—and each smaller, picture-perfect medieval city in between—there’s loads to maintain you busy.
You’re in all probability pondering you don’t want us to dangle one more tempting detour in entrance of your eyes, and we’re genuinely sorry to make your journey plans more durable, however…
Have you heard of a beautiful, largely untouched Benevento?
Think Italy’s unmatched summer time idleness and historic tradition, with out the off-the-chart costs and maddening crowds:
Italy’s Idyllic Campania, Minus The Amalfi Chaos
A small metropolis within the Campanian hinterland, Italy’s southerly area greatest recognized for Naples and its adjoining Amalfi Coast, Benevento is a type of hidden gems boasting a wealthy historical past and an enviable materials heritage—it is onerous to fathom the way it’s even been neglected this lengthy.
After all, it isn’t like vacationers are flocking right here from throughout, no less than in comparison with locations like Positano or Sorrento, which sit on the coast:
Benevento is additional inland, and until you are a History buff, likelihood is you have by no means even heard of it.
For a fast introduction, it’s a continuation of Beneventum, a Roman settlement believed to have been based by Diomedes himself within the wake of the legendary Trojan War.
Over the centuries that adopted, Benevento accrued an enviable focus of ornate buildings, comparable to:
The Arch of Trajan, a beautifully-carved Roman arch, erected between the years 114 and 117 AD
The Ancient Theater, a well-preserved historic Roman venue, courting again to the reign of Hadrian
Rocca dei Rettori: a fortress constructed over Roman foundations, now housing a museum
Santa Sofia: a Lombard Baroque model church and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Santa Maria Assunta: a cathedral distinguished by its arcaded façade and incomplete sq. bell tower
The occasional vacationer could also be primarily drawn to Benevento’s architectural treasures, however most Italians come right here for one factor solely: witches.
Welcome To Italy’s Salem
Known throughout the South of Italy as Città delle Streghe, or City of Witches, Benevento’s native mythology includes tales of witches who collect beneath an previous walnut tree by the eerie Sabato River to interact in ungodly pagan rituals.
This legend has circulated for the reason that thirteenth century, and although a walnut tree is not there, in strolling the cobble-paved, medieval streets of Benevento, you would possibly discover a mini witch figures scattered across the place, the odd deserted hat or broom, and naturally, Strega Liqueur.
The metropolis’s most well-known export is an natural liqueur—witches are well-known for concocting potions, bear in mind? Produced since 1860 and located in abundance in memento outlets, particularly Strega Alberti, on Piazza Vittoria Colonna, the place there’s a full vary of ‘Strega’ spirits.
Witchcraft apart, Benevento is widespread for its gastronomy, as it’s house to a plethora of family-owned trattorie that also serve meals the standard means:
Delicious Food At Affordable Prices
For recent seafood pasta and the very best baccalà on the town, be sure you add Osteria Baccaleria Nikila to your record of locations to take a look at: on common, ordering a starter, a essential dish, and a glass of wine will set you again round $27.
Craving a extra elegant presentation, seasonal dishes, and traditional Campanian delicacies with a contemporary twist? Albori will most definitely not disappoint, although it’s a mid-range eatery, so count on to pay between $45–$59 for a 3-course meal.
How about some pizza as a substitute? The informal, budget-friendly Pizzeria da Gino is widespread for his or her $11, wood-fired Neapolitan pizza.
Of course, no go to to the City of Witches is full with no sorcery-themed pub fare, and with its Harry Potter aesthetics, American-style burgers, and craft beer, the Beneventum Public House is that one vacationer lure all of us love.
How Actually Affordable Is Benevento To Visit?
Very few locations in Italy could be thought of really inexpensive by Southern European requirements, and we’re undecided you have seen, costs in Benevento are most positively on the cheaper finish of the spectrum.
Food will not be the one cheap factor about it: a double room within the Old Town can value you as little as $28 per evening for two adults, within the peak season (Atlantici), and on the whole, B&B stays vary from $35 to $65 for touring {couples}.
Even the 4-star Lemi, a spa resort positioned within the countryside amid the Campanian mountains and a brief 20-minute drive to Benevento, will value $60.50 per grownup per evening. Alternatively, there’s Hotel Villa Traiano, within the coronary heart of city, charging a suitable $88.50.
Before we go away you, we should always in all probability point out Benevento will not be Italy’s solely well-kept secret awaiting discovery this summer time…
If you are trying as a substitute for white-sand seashores, stone-built homes clinging to the facet of vertiginous sea cliffs, and turquoise seas, wait till you see this one.
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
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