Things to Do in Benevento
The ancient city of Trajan's Arch
Three Thousand Years of History
Benevento is a city that safeguards three thousand years of history within its streets, piazzas, and monuments. Founded by the Samnites under the name Maleventum, renamed Beneventum by the Romans after their victory over Pyrrhus in 275 BC, the city has stood at the crossroads of civilisations: Roman, Lombard, Papal. Each era has left an indelible mark, making Benevento an open-air museum where the past converses with the present.
Set in the Campanian hinterland at the confluence of the Sabato and Calore rivers, Benevento is the gateway to Sannio — a landscape of gentle hills, centuries-old vineyards, and medieval villages. The city boasts two UNESCO-recognised sites, an archaeological heritage of extraordinary importance, and a food-and-wine tradition rooted deep in history.
Villa Traiano stands in the heart of this extraordinary city, steps from its most celebrated monuments. Staying here means experiencing Benevento as a privileged traveller: waking to a view of Trajan's Arch, strolling among Roman ruins and Lombard cloisters, and being surprised by a city that few know but no one forgets.
Arch of Trajan
Just fifty metres from Villa Traiano stands Benevento's most celebrated monument: the Arch of Trajan, considered the best-preserved Roman triumphal arch in the world. Erected in 114 AD to celebrate the opening of the Via Traiana — the new road linking Benevento to Brindisi — the arch rises to 15.60 metres and is entirely clad in reliefs of extraordinary craftsmanship. The sculpted panels narrate the deeds of Emperor Trajan: scenes of peace and prosperity on the side facing the city, scenes of war and conquest on the outer face. The artistic quality of the reliefs is such that the arch is regarded as one of the masterpieces of Roman art, comparable to Trajan's Column in Rome.
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Roman Theatre
The Roman Theatre of Benevento is one of the most imposing in southern Italy. Built under Emperor Hadrian in the second century AD and later expanded by Caracalla to hold approximately 15,000 spectators, the theatre preserves much of its original structure: the cavea, the orchestra, and the remains of the monumental stage. What makes this place truly remarkable is that, nearly two thousand years after its construction, the theatre still hosts performances, concerts, and shows during the summer season. Attending a performance here, beneath the stars, with ancient stones resonating with music and words, is an experience that dissolves the boundaries of time.
Church of Santa Sofia
The Church of Santa Sofia, in the heart of Benevento's historic centre, is a masterpiece of Lombard architecture and has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2011 as part of the serial site 'The Longobards in Italy. Places of the Power'. Founded around 760 AD by Duke Arechi II, the church features a stellar floor plan unlike any other: a central hexagonal nucleus surrounded by a decagonal ring, with reused Roman columns that create a play of space and light of extraordinary beauty. The adjacent twelfth-century Romanesque cloister, with its twin columns and carved capitals, houses the Museo del Sannio, where artefacts tell the millennial history of the region.
Hortus Conclusus
In the heart of the historic centre, hidden behind the walls of an ancient convent, lies one of the most fascinating contemporary-art gardens in Italy. The Hortus Conclusus is a permanent installation by Mimmo Paladino, one of the most important Italian contemporary artists and a leading figure of the Transavanguardia movement. Large bronze sculptures — horses, masks, archaic figures — dialogue with the sacred space of the convent garden, creating a poetic short-circuit between ancient and contemporary, sacred and profane. A great golden mask presides over the entrance, while a bronze horse seems to emerge from the earth. The Hortus is a place of meditation and wonder, where art becomes an immersive experience.
Food & Wine of Sannio
Flavours steeped in history
The Nougat of Benevento
Benevento is the Italian capital of nougat, a confection whose origins are lost in legend. It is said that the Romans, during the Saturnalia festivals, consumed a mixture of honey and almonds similar to modern nougat. The confectionery tradition of Benevento has perfected this recipe over centuries, creating a product of excellence recognised throughout the world. Benevento nougat is distinguished by the quality of its local hazelnuts and almonds, the acacia honey of Sannio, and artisan production methods handed down from generation to generation.
Strega Liqueur
Strega Liqueur is the liquid symbol of Benevento, produced since 1860 by the Alberti family using a secret recipe that includes seventy herbs and spices sourced from around the world. Its distinctive saffron-yellow colour and complex flavour — with notes of mint, fennel, and cinnamon — make it unique in the landscape of Italian liqueurs. The name pays homage to the legendary tradition of the witches of Benevento, who according to folklore gathered beneath the Walnut Tree of Benevento for their sabbaths. The Premio Strega, Italy's most prestigious literary prize, takes its name from this very liqueur.
Aglianico del Taburno DOCG
Aglianico del Taburno is one of the great red wines of southern Italy, produced on the slopes of Monte Taburno from Aglianico grapes — a variety the Greeks brought to Campania over two thousand years ago. The wine presents an intense, almost impenetrable ruby colour and a complex bouquet interweaving red berries, spices, tobacco, and forest floor. On the palate it is powerful and structured, with noble tannins and impressive length. The DOCG designation, obtained in 2011, has established this wine among Italy's finest. The best examples require years of ageing to express their full complexity.
Falanghina del Sannio DOC
Falanghina is the great white wine of Sannio, a wine that in recent years has won over critics and the public alike with its elegance and versatility. The name derives from the Latin falanga, the stake used to support vines in ancient Roman viticulture. Falanghina del Sannio is distinguished by a fresh, floral aromatic profile, with notes of citrus, white peach, and acacia blossom. On the palate it is sapid and mineral, with a pleasant acidity that makes it perfect as an aperitivo or paired with fish dishes and Mediterranean cuisine. Try it at our Lounge Bar with a platter of local cheeses.
Getting to Benevento
Closer than you think
By Car
A16 motorway (Naples-Bari), Benevento exit. From Naples approximately 80 km (1 hour), from Bari approximately 190 km (2 hours). From Rome, A1 motorway to Caserta Sud then the dual carriageway to Benevento (approximately 280 km, 3 hours). Private garage available at the hotel (daily fee).
By Train
Benevento Centrale station, served by regional and intercity trains. From Naples Centrale approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, from Rome Termini approximately 3 hours with a change at Caserta. The station is about 1.5 km from the hotel, reachable by taxi in 5 minutes.
By Air
Naples Capodichino International Airport (NAP), approximately 80 km from Benevento. From the airport, Benevento can be reached by car (approximately 1 hour via A16) or by train with a connection from the Alibus to Naples Centrale station. Transfer service available on request.
Villa Traiano in Benevento
Viale dei Rettori 9, 82100 Benevento, Italia
Distances from Villa Traiano
100 m
Arch of Trajan
300 m
Roman Theatre
500 m
Church of Santa Sofia (UNESCO)
2 km
Railway Station
~80 km
Naples (1h by car)
~90 km
Naples Airport (NAP)
Frequently Asked Questions
In a single day in Benevento you can visit the city's flagship monuments on foot: the Arch of Trajan (50 metres from Villa Traiano), the second-century Roman Theatre, the UNESCO Church of Santa Sofia with its Romanesque cloister and the Museo del Sannio, and the Hortus Conclusus by Mimmo Paladino. The full itinerary takes 5–6 hours, with a lunch break in one of the historic-centre restaurants.
Benevento has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2011 as part of the serial site "The Longobards in Italy. Places of the Power (568–774 AD)". The Beneventan monument inscribed is the Church of Santa Sofia, a Lombard architectural masterpiece founded around 760 AD by Duke Arechi II, with its unique stellar floor plan and the adjacent twelfth-century Romanesque cloister.
The Arch of Trajan was erected in 114 AD to celebrate the opening of the Via Traiana, the new road linking Benevento to Brindisi. Standing 15.60 metres high and entirely clad in reliefs, it is regarded as the best-preserved Roman triumphal arch in the world and one of the absolute masterpieces of Roman art, comparable to Trajan's Column in Rome.
Benevento is reachable by car via the A16 Naples-Bari motorway, Benevento exit (about 1 hour from Naples, 2 hours from Bari, 3 hours from Rome). By train, Benevento Centrale is served by regional and intercity services (1h30 from Naples Centrale). The nearest airport is Naples Capodichino (NAP), about 80 km away, with transfer service available on request from Villa Traiano.
Villa Traiano is the leading boutique hotel in Benevento's historic centre, at Viale dei Rettori 9, fifty metres from the Arch of Trajan and facing the ancient Lombard walls. It offers 40 rooms and suites with Poltrona Frau furnishings, a panoramic rooftop SPA, the La Vista rooftop bar, a gourmet restaurant, and a private garage.
The Benevento food and wine tradition centres on four icons: Benevento Nougat (almonds, hazelnuts and Sannio honey), Strega Liqueur (seventy herbs and spices, recipe dating to 1860), Aglianico del Taburno DOCG (a structured great red), and Falanghina del Sannio DOC (a fresh, mineral white). All can be tasted at Villa Traiano's Lounge Bar and La Vista restaurant.
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Hotel Villa Traiano
Boutique hotel fifty metres from the Arch of Trajan, in Benevento's historic centre.
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Rooms & Suites
Forty rooms and suites with Poltrona Frau furnishings, BVLGARI amenities and Sannio views.
Discover → Experiences in Sannio
DOCG wine tastings, cultural tours, and exclusive activities for hotel guests.
Discover →Stay at Villa Traiano to Discover Benevento
Villa Traiano's central location, steps from Trajan's Arch and the main monuments, makes our hotel the ideal base for exploring the city and the Sannio region.
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