Sant'Agata de' Goti
Sant'Agata de' Goti: the city on Mount Taburno
If you are looking for a quiet place to relax, Sant'Agata de' Goti might be the right choice. This small town of 10,180 inhabitants is located in the province of Benevento, in Campania, on the western slopes of Mount Taburno and borders the province of Caserta.
Physical geography
The territory of Sant'Agata de' Goti is divided into two parts: the modern area, built at the end of the 19th century, and the other, of Roman foundation, located on a tuff rock. The rest of the municipal area is predominantly hilly and hosts villages, farms and hamlets dating back to the Lombard age.

Hydrography
The watercourses that cross the municipal territory are almost all torrential in nature. The main ones are the Isclero river, a tributary of the Volturno, and the Riello and Martorano torrents, which flow into the Isclero.
Climate
The climate of Sant'Agata de' Goti is Mediterranean, with temperatures almost always mild and pleasant in summer nights. During winter, the climate is humid only during peak season periods. The city is often windy, and during periods when the temperature differences between day and night are strong, a dense fog layer is formed, favored mainly by the Isclero.
The origin of the name
The name of Sant'Agata de' Goti was formed in different historical periods. In the eighth century, in fact, the Lombard city was named after the Saint probably by the will of Radoaldo of Benevento and Grimoaldo, brothers educated at the court of Arechi I of Benevento. These lived in the Lombard Gastaldia of Sant'Agata, included in the County of Capua, and contributed to the foundation of the church of Sant'Agata de Amarenis, called Sant'Agatella, now destroyed, as a sign of devotion to the martyr, after the religious conversion from Arianism to Catholicism.
The second part of the toponym was added in the Norman era, with the advent of the feudal lords of the Drengot family after 1117. Rainulfo Drengot, count of Sant'Agata, belonged to the circle of "potentes" with special faculties and autonomous decision-making power. Over time, the surname Drengot was pronounced differently, until it changed to De-Goth during the Angevin era.
After the extinction of the legitimate heirs De-Goth after 1140, the fief of Sant'Agata passed to other families. However, it continued to be called "Sant'Agata De-Goth" even for the Hohenstaufen until the death of Manfredi of Sicily.
Attractions of Sant'Agata de' Goti
If you visit this city, you can't miss some places of historical and tourist interest.
The historical center
The historical center of Sant'Agata de' Goti is characterized by the medieval settlement, with narrow and winding streets. Among the main monuments of the town are:
- The Cathedral of Sant'Agata with its 16th century bell tower,
- The Church of San Francesco, located in the homonymous square. Inside, you can admire several works of art, including the painting depicting the Conversion of San Francesco, painted by the painter Francesco Solimena in the 18th century,
- Porta di Valeria, an imposing arch made of tuff blocks dating back to the Roman period, which allowed access to the ancient city.
The Roman Theater
Among the attractions of Sant'Agata de' Goti stands out the Roman Theater. It is not known exactly in which era it was built, but it was probably built between the end of the 1st and the beginning of the 2nd century AD. The theater has a semi-circular structure and is composed of three orders of bleachers and a podium for the artists.
The megalithic walls
Finally, Sant'Agata de' Goti is also famous for its megalithic walls, or cyclopean walls. These are a set of tuff blocks stacked without the use of mortar, with a weight of several tons. The original purpose of their construction is not known exactly, but many experts believe that they were built for defensive purposes.
Conclusions
Sant'Agata de' Goti is a city that fascinates for its history and ancient architecture. If you want to visit a place where you can breathe the atmosphere of the history of Italy, Sant'Agata de' Goti is the perfect place. Here you can admire medieval monuments and cyclopean walls, becoming a little part of the history of the city. Come discover Sant'Agata de' Goti, it will conquer you.
