This city in Italy offers its visitors low prices and ancient sights and legends.
A small town in the heart of Campania, Italy’s southern region, Benevento is one of those hidden gems that boasts a rich history and heritage.
However, tourists from all over the world do not flock here, notes Traveloffpath. The city is an extension of Beneventum, a Roman settlement that was founded by Diomedes himself after the legendary Trojan War.
During its existence, Benevento has accumulated an enviable number of ornate structures, such as:
- Trajan’s Arch, a beautifully carved Roman arch built between 114 and 117 AD.;
- Ancient theater, a well-preserved Roman structure dating back to the reign of Hadrian;
- Rocca dei Rettori: a fortress built on a Roman foundation that now houses a museum;
- Santa Sofia: Lombard Baroque Church and UNESCO World Heritage Site;
- Santa Maria Assunta: a cathedral notable for its arcaded facade and incomplete square bell tower.
Foreign tourists are primarily attracted to the architectural treasures of Benevento, but most Italians come here just for one thing: witches.
Known as Citta delle Strege, or the City of Witches, the local mythology of Benevento includes stories of witches who gather under an old walnut tree by the eerie Sabato River to participate in godless rituals. This legend goes back to the 13th century, and although the walnut tree is no longer there, walking through the cobbled medieval streets of Benevento, you can find mini-figures of witches scattered everywhere, a strange thrown hat or broom, and of course, Strega liqueur.
The most famous product of the city is herbal liqueur. It has been produced since 1860 and is plentiful in souvenir shops, especially in the Strega Alberti on Piazza Vittoria Colonna, where the full range of Strega spirits is available.
Among other things, Benevento is popular for its gastronomy, as it is home to many family-run trattorias that still serve food in the traditional way. For a taste of fresh seafood pasta and the best bakkala in town, be sure to add Osteria Baccaleria Nikila to your list of places to visit: on average, ordering an appetizer, main course and glass of wine will cost you about $27.
Do you want a more elegant presentation, seasonal dishes and classic Campania delicacies in a modern interpretation? Albori will definitely not disappoint you, although it is a mid-level establishment, so expect to pay between $45 and $59 for a 3-course meal.
Cheap pizzeria da Gino is popular for its Neapolitan wood-fired pizza for $11.
Of course, no visit to the City of Witches is complete without a witchcraft-themed pub, and the Beneventum Pub, with its Harry Potter aesthetic, American burgers and craft beer, is the tourist trap we all love.
Food isn’t the only thing that’s cheap here: a double room in the Old Town can cost as little as $28 per night for 2 adults during peak season, and overall guest house accommodation costs between $35 and $65 for traveling couples.
Even the 4-star Lemi, a spa hotel located in the countryside among the Campania Mountains and a 20-minute drive from Benevento, costs $60.50 per night for an adult. In addition, in the heart of the city there is Hotel Villa Traiano, where you can stay for a reasonable $88.50.
