Benevento is an inland city in northern Campania, about 55 km northeast of Naples. It is largely overlooked by tourists despite having one of the most significant collections of ancient remains in southern Italy. The city was an important Samnite town, later a major Roman city on the Appian Way, and the capital of a Lombard duchy in the early medieval period.
The Arch of Trajan (114 AD) stands in the city centre — it is the best-preserved triumphal arch in Italy, better than Rome's own, and you can walk right up to it with no barriers. The Egyptian obelisk at Piazza Papiniano was brought by the emperor Domitian for a sanctuary of Isis. The Museo del Sannio holds Samnite, Roman, and Lombard collections including pieces from the Isis sanctuary.
The Duomo (originally 7th century, rebuilt repeatedly after bombing in 1943) has a bronze door from the 12th century with 72 panels depicting biblical and local history scenes. The Lombard church of Santa Sofia nearby is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Roman Theatre on the east side of the old town preserves most of its ancient seating tiers.
Benevento is easily reached by train from Naples (about 1 hour) or by car via the A16 motorway.