Sant‘Agata de’ Goti in Benevento

The beautiful hamlet of Sant’Agata de’ Goti in the province of Benevento is also known as the “gem of the Sannio”.

The well-preserved hitoric centre of the Roman city is located on a tuff rock over the Martorano and Riello rivers.

If you come from North Italy by car, drive along the A1 highway and take the exit signposted Caserta sud-Maddaloni, then proceed towards Telese-Caianello (fondo valle Isclero) and take the exit signposted Sant’Agata de’ Goti. If you come from South Italy, drive along the A16 highway, take the exit signposted Benevento and proceed along the SS7 state road towards Montesarchio, then proceed towards Airola first and finally towards Sant’Agata de’ Goti.

Once you get to Benevento you can also take the Benevento-Cancello regional train and get off at the Arpaia-Airola-Sant’Agata de’ Goti train station. This train station is the terminal where the buses leading to Sant’Agata leave.

From Napoli you can get to Maddaloni by train, and then take the bus towards Durazzano that stops at Sant’Agata de’ Goti.

The hamlet of Sant’Agata de’ Goti can be divided in two areas: the modern area and the historic centre, that was founded on the tuff crag, guarding and preserving the long history of the village, from the ancient town named Saticula under the Samnite domination, to the several conquests, the Roman one first, followed by the Lombard, the Norman, the Suevian and the Angevin ones. The two areas of the village are connected by a bridge, the ponte Romano sul Martorano (Roman bridge over the Martorano), that offers a great view of the historic centre.

Right before the historic centre, in via Reullo, there is the Lavatoio Reullo (Reullo Wash House), with three tanks surrounded by the ancient tuff walls dating back to the 13th century and a Gothic arch dominating the entrance. The tanks are supplied by an underground water spring and still today women use to do the laundry here to keep the tradition alive. Proceeding upward you will get to the Cascate della Sorgente (Spring Waterfalls), with a picnic area to enjoy this peaceful place.

Proceeding downward to Sant’Agata de’ Goti, via Reullo leads into via Riello where the historic centre is: a cluster of narrow streets, starting with via Roma, that crosses piazza Duomo where the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta (Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral) is, the Romanesque-Baroque style Duomo of the village.

Keep walking along via Roma to get to the Chiesa di San Francesco, a beautiful Baroque style church, that faces the Chiesa del Carmine (Carmine Church) and the Museo diocesano (Diocesan Museum), that keeps a collection of sacred art.

Near the Roman bridge there is the Chiesa di Santa Menna (Santa Menna Church), a Romanesque style church that dates back to the 6th century, with a mosaic floor made with the opus sectile technique that is the most ancient floor in South Italy. In front of the church there is the Castello ducale (Ducal Castle), whereas further on down largo Annunziata there is the Chiesa della SS Annunziata (SS Annunziata Chirch), dating back to 1238 that houses beautiful Baroque style chapels and many frescoes, such as the Giudizio Universale (Universal Judgment) that is on the counter-facade.

Offering garden views, Na’ Poesia B&B di Charme in SantʼAgata deʼ Goti offers accommodation, free bikes, a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, a shared lounge and a terrace. The bed and breakfast offers free WiFi and free private parking.

The independent apartment Feudo di Sant’Agata is located in a quiet area in the historic center of Sant’Agata de’ Goti and offers panoramic views of the Taburno Regional Park, a fireplace and free WiFi throughout.
There is a TV, a terrace, a seating area, a large kitchen equipped with a dining table for 8 people and a bathroom with a bathtub, bidet and hairdryer.