The sannio
IN THE CAMPANIA REGION OF ITALY
Welcome to the Sannio, a region often overshadowed by Campania’s tourist hotspots of Naples, the Amalfi Coast, and Pompeii. Yet, just beyond these well-known destinations lies a captivating region surrounding the small city of Benevento—a hidden gem of natural beauty, rich history, art, archaeology, and some of Italy’s finest wines and cuisine. This lesser-known area is the Sannio, a land made up of dozens of small villages and hamlets within the province of Benevento.
Here, we provide a bit of information on some towns in which Vita Villaggi has a connection. Each town and village in the Sannio boasts its own unique character and story. We begin with Benevento itself.
Benevento
Benevento is a city steeped in history. The city’s ancient roots trace back to the Samnites, an Italic people who lived here in the 7th and 6th centuries BC. The historical significance of Benevento is vividly displayed in the city center, where you’ll find the Arch of Trajan—a triumphal arch erected in 114 A.D. in honor of Emperor Trajan. This remarkably well-preserved monument served as the entrance to Benevento along the Via Traiana, a road constructed by the emperor to create a more direct route between Rome and the port city of Brindisi on the Adriatic Sea.
Benevento is the home of the Church of Santa Sofia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This circular Lombard-style church, dating back to around 760 A.D., features a central hexagon formed by columns taken from the Temple of Isis, connected by arches that support the cupola.
The inner hexagon is encircled by a decagonal ring of eight white limestone pillars and two columns at the entrance. While the church’s interior was once entirely frescoed by Byzantine artists, only fragments of these paintings, depicting the Life of Christ, remain in the two side apses.
Benevento is also a city steeped in myth and legend, known as the “City of Witches” or “Streghe.“ According to local lore, witches gathered beneath a walnut tree on the banks of the Sabato River to perform rituals and cast spells. The iconic liqueur of Benevento is aptly named Strega.
Sant’Agata dei Goti
Sant’Agata dei Goti is an incredible village perched on cliffs of tufa rock. It is a place rich in history and art and serves as a liaison between the Middle Ages, ancient cultures, and the modern world. It is a town with a thousand-year-old story, where archaeological excavations are still in progress today, bringing to light important finds from the Italic Age. Its rich history is complimented with an equally rich culinary and gastronomic palette. It is also the home of the Mustilli winery, creators of the Falanghina wines, home of the mela annurca (a species of apple unique to this area), and “Nfrennula” biscuits.
Cusano Mutri
With the Matese mountains as a backdrop, the village of Cusano Mutri seems untouched from its roots in the Middle Ages. Surrounded by an extraordinary landscape, Cusano Mutri is a true gem of medieval art in Italy and is renowned for its porcini mushrooms, which are foraged from the surrounding woods. The village is crowned by the Castello Medievale, a medieval castle that offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside reachable by the steep stairs and alleys that remain from medieval times.
Cerreto Sannita
The town of Cerreto Sannita was inhabited since prehistoric times as evidenced by the results of some archaeological excavations carried out at the end of the 19th century near the Morgia Sant’Angelo or “Leonessa.” In an early excavation a sarcophagus was found consisting of gray tuff slabs inside which were a bronze spear, pieces of burned wood, bone fragments, an axe, spear points and a cinerary vessel placed at one corner of the sarcophagus.
The current Cerreto is a charming, bustling town and is the result of its reconstruction after a devastating earthquake in 1688 destroyed the town.
Today Cerreto is known for its potters who practice their craft with traditional methods, resulting in some of the finest ceramics in Italy.
Pietraroja
Pietraroja is a mountain town, almost 2700 feet above sea level, of only about 500 people. It is most famous for its cured meats, in particular prosciutto. A manuscript from the 18th century describes the supplying of such meats to the Duke of Laurenzana. The town is also known for its handmade cheeses, in particular caciocavallo, and its sheep and pig farming.
Pietraroja became world recognized in the Paleontological community with the discovery in 1980 of the dinosaur fossil Scipionyx Samniticus. The only known fossil of this species, the approximate 20 in. fossil is believed to be that of a 3-day old baby dinosaur.
Solopaca
Solopaca is distinctive in that the town is narrow and elongated rather than circular or square. It follows the base of a hill whereas most of the towns in the Sannio were built on the top of a hill. Solopaca has about 4,000 inhabitants. It is probably best known for its wine. Indeed, the first wine from the Sannio to obtain the controlled designation of origin was Solopaca DOC. Perhaps not as well-known as its wine, but widely regarded in the Sannio at least, is the Grape Festival (Festa dell’Uva) held there during the grape harvest each year. The highlight is a parade of sometimes elaborate floats made from grapes glued by hand one by one.
San Lorenzello
San Lorenzello is an ancient town bordering Cerreto Sannita that shares some similarities with it. San Lorenzello was also hit hard by earthquakes (1688 and 1805) and is also famous for its ceramics. Each time the town was destroyed, it was rebuilt to maintain its original appearance, characterized by small squares, alleys and ancient palaces dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, including the Palazzo Massone.
The municipality is crossed by the Titerno river, and the historical center is located on the face of Mount Erbano, so called for its wealth of medicinal and aromatic herbs. The town is also famous for its production of taralli, a popular treat that resembles a cross between a bagel and a breadstick and is usually ring shaped. Although the base ingredients are always flour, salt, and water, olive oil and other flavorings may be added; each tarallificio brings a different taste and texture.
Telese Terme
Telese Terme, an ancient Samnite city known as Telesia, was founded centuries before Christ. Today Telese is famous for its Thermal Sulfuric water Baths. The first reports of Teleses’ sulfurous waters date back to the time of the violent 1349 earthquake, which devastated the Telese countryside, razing the town to the ground. The frequent and intense tremors not only caused the sulfur springs to surface, but also caused areas to sink, disrupted the soil, which gave rise to ponds, swamps, and what today is Lake Telese. The first studies on the sulfurous water therapeutic benefits date back to 1734. Today, the warm sulfur baths are enjoyed at the Telese SPA and Wellness Minieri Center.
san lupo
San Lupo is a small hilltop town (about 700 people) standing about 1600 feet above sea level. It is known for its medieval architecture and extraordinary views as well as its excellent olive oil. It is also the home of the Faggioli della Regina (the Queen’s Beans), a rare bean similar to borlotti, which is only grown here due to its particular climate and soil requirements. There is even a festival celebrating it each year near the end of August.
Maria and Dan were so charmed by this town with its narrow cobblestone streets and ancient stone houses clinging to the hill that they bought a house here. The town was rebuilt on the hill after an earthquake in 1688 since the homes there did not suffer very much damage.
Faicchio
Faicchio has been inhabited since prehistoric times, as evidenced by artifacts discovered in the area that are now housed in the Sannio Museum in Benevento. It was probably the site of a Roman settlement as seen in the ruins that remain from a Roman aqueduct, a cryptoportian and a bridge. The Lombards who occupied the area around the 7th century founded a church dedicated to St. Michael in a cave on Mount Monaco of Gioia.
The historic center is found above the Titerno river that runs in the valley. Its Medieval roots can be seen in the historic center where the castle dominates the center at its pinnacle.
San Marco dei Cavoti
San Marco is one of the best-known places in Italy to produce torrone. About 10 family-owned shops create exceptional torroncini, especially enjoyed during the Christmas holidays. These uniquely delicious torroncini started being created at the end of the 17th century. It’s a type of nougat made from simple ingredients: almonds, hazelnuts, sugar and cocoa, which, when mixed, result in a wondrous sweet treat.
Learn More About the Campania and The Sannio
This video was shared with us by “GAL Titerno” and The European Union, created to promote local excellence. Although it is in Italian, we are working on English subtitles.