Benevento
Benevento (UK: /ˌbɛnəˈvɛntoʊ/, US: /ˌbeɪneɪˈ-/, Italian: [beneˈvɛnto] ⓘ; Latin: Beneventum) is a city and comune of Campania, Italy, capital of the province of Benevento, 50 kilometres (31 mi) northeast of Naples. It is situated on a hill 130 metres (427 feet) above sea level at the confluence of the Calore Irpino (or Beneventano) and the Sabato. In 2020, Benevento has 58,418 inhabitants. It is also the seat of a Catholic archbishop.
Benevento
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| Comune di Benevento | |
Main landmarks in Benevento. Clockwise from the upper left: the Arch of Trajan, the church of Santa Sofia, the Cathedral's main portal, the castle and the Roman theatre | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
Benevento within the Province of Benevento | |
Location of Benevento | |
Benevento Location of Benevento in Campania Benevento Benevento (Campania) | |
| Coordinates: 41°08′N 14°47′E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Campania |
| Province | Benevento (BN) |
| Frazioni | see list |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Clemente Mastella |
| Area | |
| • Total | 129 km2 (50 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 135 m (443 ft) |
| Population (31 August 2020) | |
| • Total | 58,418 |
| • Density | 450/km2 (1,200/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Beneventani |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 82100 |
| Dialing code | 0824 |
| ISTAT code | 062008 |
| Patron saint | St. Bartholomew |
| Saint day | 24 August |
| Website | Official website |
Benevento occupies the site of the ancient Beneventum, originally Maleventum or even earlier Maloenton. The meaning of the name of the town is evidenced by its former Latin name, translating as good or fair wind. In the imperial period it was supposed to have been founded by Diomedes after the Trojan War.
Due to its artistic and cultural significance, the Santa Sofia Church in Benevento was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011, as part of a group of seven historic buildings inscribed as Longobards in Italy, Places of Power (568–774 A.D.).
A patron saint of Benevento is Saint Bartholomew, the Apostle, whose relics are kept there at the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta.