Ponte Leproso and Santi Quaranta

Outside the Benevento city centre there are two well-preserved Roman period wonders: the Ponte Leproso (Leproso Bridge) and the complesso dei Santi Quaranta (Santi Quaranta Complex), two must-visit places, together with the Teatro romano (Roman Theatre).

Ponte Leproso connects the Santa Clementina district to the Appia train station. This bridge was built in the 3rd century BC as requested by Appio Claudio Cieco, to cross the Sabato river.

It was renovated during Middle Ages, and even now people can walk this crowned bridge over the Sabato river, as cars are not allowed and along it there are entries to the river’s banks.

Ponte Leproso is a jump away from Santi Quaranta, that is between Rione San Lorenzo and via Cellarulo and the entry is in via Ursus.

It is usually called complesso dei Santi Quaranta (Santi Quaranta complex) but it actually consists of the remains of a Roman cryptoporticus on which, during the Lombard dominion, the church dedicated to the forty martyrs of Sebaste was built. Nowadays, the name is the only element of the church left.

Not far from the Santi Quaranta complex there is the Bue Apis, a rock monument dating back to the ancient Egypt period that is probably from the temple of Isis.

Nearby the b&b San Lorenzo offers a restaurant, a garden and a shared kitchen. Free WiFi and private parking are available at the bed and breakfast. All units come with a seating area, a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a private bathroom with a hairdryer and shower.