In the Samnite territory in the heart of Campania there is a fascinating village rich in history: Sant'Agata de'Goti.
Sant'Agata de'Goti many awards for this ancient village
The town of Sant'Agata de 'Goti in the province of Benevento is made up of two distinct parts. The modern city, born in the nineteenth century and the ancient one of Roman foundation, very suggestive and fascinating. The historic center has been included in the de circuit since 2012 "The most beautiful villages in Italy". It has also been recognized as the Orange flag of the Italian Touring Club and since 2005 is part ofNational Association of the City of Wine. Around the urban center there is a swarm of districts, farms, of different sizes that date back to theLombard invasion.
The town immersed in the Samnite territory has been called the "Pearl of Sannio". For its beauty, its Mediterranean climate, always mild and pleasant, and for the waterways that cross its territory. It is also named after "Jewel of the Caudina Valley", for the homonymous valley, where, in Roman times, the most shameful defeat for the Roman army took place: the battle of the Caudine forks.
Even the name has a lot of history
Its name is the result of a summa of the various historical periods and the invasions that have affected it over time. In the Lombard period, XNUMXth century, it was dedicated to Santa Catanese and, by the will of Radoaldo and Grimoaldo inside the church of Sant'Agata de Amarenis was built. From here the town takes the first part of the name. In Norman era, around 1117, the second part is added, with the arrival in the territory of Saint Agatha of the Drengot family of French feudal lords.
Due to a speech impediment, the surname was crippled and became De-Goth. And the fiefdom that came into their possession became "Sant'Agata De-Goth". He continued to call himself that even after a transcription, perhaps hasty. It was understood in fact, according to some historians, De-Goth refers to the Goths, a barbarian Germanic people and not to a French family. However the village continued to be called "Sant'Agata De-Goth", to the point of becoming Italian in what we know today.
Sant'Agata de'Goti a story told in stones
The city has Roman origins. Historians claim that the ancient Samnite city of saticula. Many archaeological testimonies found in the city area. Also visible are the early medieval, Norman and angevin. Public and religious buildings are important testimonies. But many other architectural and historical elements tell of a flourishing past of the village up to the most recent times. Today, looking at the city, one is fascinated by its conformation, the result of millenary stratifications.
The historic center is built on the tuff and, observing the historic village from the bridge over the Martorano stream, you can see how man's hand has been wise in building the city. A perfect combination of nature and anthropic intervention. The rock draws a crescent on which the houses and collective buildings rest. A miracle still intact and that stands out imposingly on the ridge. At the bottom flows the river that caresses the rock and watches benevolently over the city.
A village to visit
A little known Sant'Agata de'Goti jewel, but which has a lot of history to tell its visitors. History that unfolds in the alleys, in the arches, in the windows and terraces with the clothes hanging out to dry. An enchanted place that deserves to be rediscovered. Its territory trampled by the Romans and foreign invaders has preserved every memory in its stones.
The tourist has a lot to visit, churches, palaces, but also just walk its streets and touch its walls. Un experiential tourism, what awaits the visitor, who can find all the senses satisfied. As a city of wine, Sant'Agata is full of cellars and places where you can taste typical products and culinary specialties. Winter is still far away, in our South, to take a journey to discover Sannio and this wonderful town.
