Trip around the cities near Naples: from Caserta to Avella

The city of Naples is certainly the most prestigious and best known of all the cities of Campania. Its monuments and history raise the glory of its name not only in the rest of Italy but also in the rest of Europe and the world. But in its surroundings, and more extensively in the Campania region, there are also other interesting cities.

Big or small, these towns can boast a great history behind them that has contributed to making these areas rich in testimonies. Today we will take you on an itinerary that we have prepared especially for you, to introduce you to these towns near Naples, which are a bit like Naples' “little sisters”. Enjoy your trip! 

Our tour around Naples starts from the beautiful city of Caserta, known worldwide for its famous palace, the "Italian Versailles". The construction of the Royal Palace of Caserta was commissioned by the king Charles of Bourbon, in the mid-18th century, to the great architect Luigi Vanvitelli. 

The historical flats, the large park, the English gardens: these are just some of the wonders that await you at the Reggia di Caserta. Another important point of interest is the magniloquent Carolingian aqueduct, another great work by the happy union of Charles III of Bourbon and Luigi Vanvitelli, a work that does not fear comparison with its Roman ancestors.

To stay on the Bourbon theme, the Complesso Monumentale del Belvedere di San Leucio, an important silk factory, is also a must-see. Before leaving Caserta for the next stop, it is worth making a detour to Casertavecchia, an ancient medieval village, where you can enjoy a magnificent view over the Plain of Caserta and where the cathedral dedicated to San Michele Arcangelo is not to be missed.

And now let's move further south, to admire another of the bell sisters of Partenope, Salerno, also majestically lying on the Tyrrhenian Sea. Leaving aside the marvelous Amalfi Coast, which deserves a separate discussion, Salerno City has had a significant increase in tourism in recent years, thanks also to the now infamous Luci d'Artista Christmas festival.

Among the many attractions, the beautiful cathedral dedicated to St Matthew, whose remains rest in the Baroque-style crypt, is certainly not to be missed. Also of great interest is the remaining historic centre where a conspicuous series of shops, bars and boutiques accompany tourists on a pleasant stroll.

Two steps that absolutely must be taken towards the Lungomare Trieste to admire, in a single glance, the aforementioned Amalfi Coast on one side and the Cilentana Coast on the other. And, by the power of imagination, our next stop. Not before, however, taking a look at two other monuments of medieval origins: the Castello di Arechi and the Complesso di San Pietro a Corte, two testimonies to the city's long and complex history.

And now let's move to the province of Benevento, in the ancient territory of Sannio, to visit one of the most characteristic villages of the Campania region: Sant'Agata de'Goti. Perched on a tufaceous terrace, Sant'Agata stands overwhelmingly in front of our gaze, with its simple beauty and its rich and fascinating history, which has its roots in the Samnite era, when the village was called Saticula, also if its true face acquired it in the Lombard era.

The first step of the visit is the Vittorio Emanuele bridge, where you can immediately admire the remains of the Longobard castle, which has been remodelled several times. Also of great interest is the church of San Menna: a splendid example of Romanesque style, the church was consecrated around 1100 by Pope Paschal II.

The tour through the monuments and landmarks of Sant'Agata dei Goti is not yet over, there is still one last stop to discover. We are talking about the Church of the Annunziata, founded in the 12th century. This site is an extraordinary example of Gothic art with an extraordinary cycle of frescoes that have recently been rediscovered and restored.

We return to the parts of Caserta and stop in Aversa, a town rich in art and history, but also a vibrant city and vital for its intense nightlife. Founded in the Norman era in 1030, the city dominates the so-called Terra di Lavoro, also known by the name of Campania Felix. Home to some great musicians such as Cimarosa and Jommelli, the city offers its visitors delicious delicacies such as buffalo mozzarella and sour wine and numerous monuments.

These include St Paul's Cathedral, founded back in 1053 and remodelled several times over the centuries. The church and convent of San Francesco delle Monache, founded in the 13th century, enriched with works by some of the great masters of the Baroque era, such as Pietro da Cortona, Francesco De Mura and Jusepe de Ribera.

Aversa is also rich in important and prestigious examples of civil architecture. Not to be missed are Palazzo Golia, which belonged to the Barons de Conciliis and was famous for having hosted Garibaldi on the eve of the Battle of Volturno in 1860, and Palazzo Gaudioso, a solemn and austere 15th-century building of Tuscan memory.

Our tour around Naples ends with a town not very well known in the province of Avellino, but full of attractions for the tourist. It is Avella, a city that has its roots in the Samnite and Roman eras, but which can also boast some evidence of prehistoric times. 

Avella's older history is well told by the important Antiquarium located in Via Francesco De Sanctis and the Monumental Necropolis Archaeological Area in Via Tombe Romane. Of particular interest and witness to a certainly more recent history is the Castle of Lombard origin dedicated to the Archangel Michael, whose massive bulk dominates the town of Avella from a hill, an imperishable symbol of the town.

It is precisely from the castle that it is possible to admire all the beauty of the area around Avellino and beyond. In fact, from here the visitor can, with his or her imagination, embrace the infinite charm of the Campania region and reconnect with his or her thoughts and heart to all the cities he or she has met on this small but fascinating journey.