Benevento, Italy

Capital City

With a population of just over 56,000, Benevento is a sleepy provincial capital nestled in the hills of Campania. The city's strategic location on the Appian Way led to its flourishing under Roman rule, but today its glory days have faded. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as Benevento remains under the administrative control of the Catholic Church. And while the city's ancient monuments like the Arch of Trajan are undeniably impressive, the effects of World War II bombings and periodic flooding are still visible. For those seeking an off-the-beaten-path Italian experience steeped in history, Benevento may be worth a visit, but it's hardly a destination for the faint of heart.