Santa Sofia Church, 8th-century Lombard church in Benevento, Italy.
Santa Sofia Church features a central hexagonal plan with six supporting columns surrounded by a decagonal ambulatory. The interior layout creates multiple small chapels and recesses that serve different religious functions throughout the worship space.
The church was founded in 758 by Duke Arechis II and served as a principal sanctuary for the principality. Over time it became a repository for the relics of San Mercurio and numerous martyrs.
The church serves as a place where people continue to gather for prayer and worship, maintaining its role as a spiritual center for centuries. Visitors sense the steady religious practice embedded in the space through its simple, focused atmosphere.
Visit during normal opening hours, which vary by day, to see the interior freely. It is best to avoid times when religious services are taking place to respect the worship of those present.
Several interior columns come from an ancient Isis temple and were incorporated into the church structure. This reuse of classical elements demonstrates how the Lombards integrated existing materials into their architecture.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
Arch of Trajan
275 m
Santa Sofia monumental complex
0 m
Temple of Isis
199 m
Hortus Conclusus
165 m
Museum of Sannio
40 m
Egyptian obelisks of Benevento
365 m
Church of Sant'Ilario a Port'Aurea
390 m
Janua - museo delle streghe
379 m
San Marco dei Sabariani, Benevento
383 m
Palazzo Paolo V
384 m
San Francesco
444 m
Palazzo del Governo
110 m
Chiesa del Santissimo Salvatore
148 m
Chiesa di San Domenico
125 m
Chiesa di Sant'Agostino
192 m
Santo Stefano dei Neofiti
201 m
Santa Teresa, Benevento
364 m
Chiesa dell'Annunziata
239 m
Santa Maria del Carmine
360 m
ARCOS, Museo d'arte contemporanea Sannio
99 m
Convento di San Pasquale
418 m
Monastero delle Orsoline
493 m
Camera di commercio
128 m
Rocca dei Rettori
192 m
Janua - Witch museum
379 m
Museo ArCoS
88 m
San Vittorino
246 m
Villa Comunale
384 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes