Sant’Agata De’ Goti: The Jewel Fortress

Early afternoon arrival by own means in Sant’Agata de’ Goti, awarded the Orange Flag by the Italian Touring Club and part of the circuit of the most beautiful villages in Italy for its artistic beauty.Reception by a local contact person at the Giovanni Paolo II Square and delivery of the “Welcome Sannio” kit (shopping bag, map of the territory, guide to the wine cellars of the town, discount vouchers in affiliated shops, souvenir gadgets).Check-in at one of the booked accommodation facilities and accommodation in the reserved rooms. Afterward, accompanied by a representative of the Pro-Loco, visit of the historic center, which seems to have preserved its appearance of an archaic fortress almost unchanged.The village looks like a semicircular network of winding streets suddenly flourishing in open spaces surrounded by medieval, baroque and renaissance buildings. The Cathedral of the Assumption, built in 970 with a highly suggestive early medieval crypt, is worth a visit. Worthy of note is the Church of San Menna, which preserves one of the oldest and most beautiful Cosmatesque floors in the Peninsula.In the end, guided tour in a local winery and Falanghina tasting.Dinner at a restaurant in the historic center, which promotes local gastronomy in a modern way, all served in a refined location, enjoying a spectacular view over the entire village.Return to the host facility and overnight stay.

In the morning, after a rich breakfast, a day begins to discover the Carolino Aqueduct, Unesco heritage together with the Royal Palace of Caserta, and the ancient village of San Leucio.The Aqueduct, which represents one of the great masterpieces of Luigi Vanvitelli’s architectural genius, conveyed the waters from the sources of the Fizzo to the slopes of Mount Taburno.The excursion, led by a local representative, extends for a length of 8.5 km and has a difference in height of 50m uphill and 130m downhill, for a total of 3 hours (excluding stops).The route starts from the Santa Croce district of Sant’Agata de ‘Goti from the tower n.32 of the Aqueduct and ends in the upper part of the Ponti della Valle up to the tower n.50, from which it is possible to observe the majestic bridge, and then begin the descent to the GaribaldiOssuary Monument, which collects the remains of those who perished in the fratricidal battle of October 1, 1860 between the Bourbon army and the Garibaldi militias.Packed lunch, provided by the host structure, to be consumed in the stops provided along the route. In the end, visit of a “melaio” (from October to December), where it will be possible to appreciate the annurca apple, IGP garrison of the territory.This fruit defined as the queen of apples is highly nutritious due to its high content of vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, as well as a percentage of polyphenols that is not found in any other apple variety.Market preparation itself is absolutely unique.In fact, the apple “tans” before being packaged, according to a practice called “reddening”, which occurs in the “melaio” and which only climatic conditions such as those of Campania make possible.Return to the host facility and overnight stay.Dinner at a restaurant for a sensory experience.Return to the host facility and overnight stay.

Waking up with a delicious breakfast.Possibility of one of the following experiences:

• Visit of Montesarchio, a populous town that extends at the foot of the Taburno.It is the major center of the Caudina Valley and stands on the area where once was the Roman Caudium, which an intense excavation campaign has brought to light. The fifteenth-century Castle is worth a visit, donated by the D’Avalos to Ferdinand II of Bourbon and later transformed by the King into a gloomy prison, famous for having hosted, among others, Carlo Poerio.Worthy of note is the National Archaeological Museum of Sannio Caudino, located inside the aforementioned castle and which houses the most beautiful vase in the world: the Assteas Crater, depicting the rape of Europa, a Phoenician princess kidnapped by Zeus, who for the occasion took on the appearance of a white bull.The crater was found in Sant’Agata de’ Goti in the early 70s of the twentieth century by a construction worker, who brought it into his home and then sold it on the black market for a million lire and a pig.The crater then followed the chain of a criminal organization dedicated to the international trafficking of historical artifacts, being deposited in Switzerland awaiting a buyer. Hence, The Rape of Europa was sold to the Getty Museum (Malibu, California), which exhibited it from 1981 to 2005.Thanks to one of the Polaroids taken by the worker, the Carabinieri of the Cultural Heritage Protection Command were able to demonstrate the real origin of the crater, which is now on display at the National Archaeological Museum of Sannio Caudino. At the end of the tour, lunch in a restaurant with a menu based on local specialties. Adults € 35.00; children (2/12 years) € 20.00 (guided tour of the Montesarchio Tower and the National Archaeological Museum of Sannio Caudino + lunch).
• Horse ride in Sant’Agata de’ Goti.A unique experience in contact with nature during which it is possible to establish a deep bond of trust with your horse: an experience that always gives great emotions, both to beginners and to more experienced riders. Afterwards, lunch at a well-known local restaurant. Adults € 50.00; children (2/12 years) € 15.00 (horseback ride with expert guide + lunch).
• • Adventure mountain bike trail in Sant’Agata de’ Goti with an expert guide, suitable for every need and level of experience: you can decide to set off on routes from 15 to 45 kilometers of cross country or all mountain. In conclusion, lunch at a facility in the area.Adults € 110.00; children (2/12 years) € 80.00 (electric bike rental + expert guide + lunch).