Liternum

Liternum is an ancient Roman city near the Gulf of Naples whose remains spread across an excavated area in Giugliano in Campania. The site reveals residential blocks, public buildings, workshops, and burial grounds from the early imperial period.

Founded as a Roman colony in 194 BCE, the settlement housed veterans of the Second Punic War on this coastal land. Over centuries, volcanic activity and shifting coastlines gradually led to its decline and abandonment.

The site reflects how Romans organized their coastal settlements and where ordinary people lived their daily lives. Walking through reveals homes, workplaces, and spaces where the community gathered.

The site is accessible and features explanatory panels throughout the grounds to help visitors understand what they are seeing. Wear sturdy shoes as the terrain is uneven and allow time to explore without rushing.

The celebrated Roman general Scipio Africanus, who defeated Hannibal, spent his final years in voluntary exile here. His grave lies within these grounds, making the site a resting place for one of Rome's greatest military figures.