Santa Maria Capua Vetere, Ancient settlement in Province of Caserta, Italy
Santa Maria Capua Vetere is a commune in the Province of Caserta, located about 25 kilometers north of Naples on the Campanian plain. The settlement spreads over an area dotted with Roman ruins, including a large amphitheater and remnants of ancient roads.
The settlement began around 600 BC under Etruscan control as Capua and grew into one of the major Roman cities. After destruction by Saracen raiders in the 9th century, the center shifted to present-day Capua.
The town name preserves the memory of the ancient settlement and connects it to the nearby city of Capua. Visitors encounter traces of this Roman past when walking through the streets and seeing fragments of old structures beside modern buildings.
The commune is accessible by regional trains and road links from Naples, with the journey taking about half an hour. The amphitheater and other archaeological areas sit within walking distance from the train station.
The local amphitheater was the site where the gladiator Spartacus began his revolt in 73 BC, triggering one of the most famous uprisings in Roman history. The remains of this structure are among the best preserved in the Campania region.
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