Montesarchio

A bit of history
Montesarchio is the largest town in the Samnite province after Benevento. The town is situated on the slopes of Mount Taburno and is home to a medieval castle. Archaeological findings suggest that the area was inhabited even before the time of Homer. The hamlets of Latovetere, of Lombard origin, and Latonuovo, of Norman origin, make up the oldest part of the town. The modern part of the city is located on the Appian Way, which connects Benevento to Caserta. From ancient times, the Appian Way was used as a trade route and for the movement of Roman legions. In the 15th century, Giacomo d'Aquino, a descendant of the Della Leonessa dynasty, had become the owner of Montesarchio.
At the behest of King Ferdinand II of Bourbon, the castle and tower became one of the harshest prisons in the Kingdom of Naples in which patriots Carlo Poerio, Nicola Nisco and Michele Pironti were imprisoned. Since 1861 Montesarchio has been part of the Province of Benevento.

What to see in Montesarchio
Going to discover Montesarchio, a visit to the Castelo Longobardo and the Tower, destroyed by the Normans and then rebuilt in the 15th century, is an essential stop. Within them they house the National Archaeological Museum of Sannio Caudino with the permanent exhibition "Imaginary Red. The Tale of the Vases of Caudium."

An itinerary, divided into six rooms, which is an important testimony to the history and archaeology of the centers of Caudium, Saticula and Telesia, today's Sant'Agata dei Goti and San Salvatore Telesino. The most important find is the Crater of Assteas a vase dating from the 4th century depicting the "Rape of Europe" by the god Zeus transformed into a bull.

In the locality of Latovere, descending from the Castle, are the Abbey of St. Nicholas, dating back to the 12th century, and the Church and Convent of St. Francis, renovated in the 18th century and now the municipal seat.

Walking through the streets of the village of Montesarchio, at the center of Piazza Umberto I one encounters another symbol of the town: the Hercules alexicacos fountain. In addition, you can admire one of the many churches in the area, the 17th-century Church of the Annunziata or St. John the Baptist.

What to taste in Montesarchio
Among the typical enograstronomic specialties of the village, the following are a must-try: "Cazzarielli" (potato gnocchi) with goat meat, eggplant in cassone, zeppole with squash flowers, and meatballs in broth served with cardon.