Walls of Benevento, Roman city fortifications in Benevento, Italy

The Walls of Benevento are a rare surviving example of an early medieval urban circuit, built from the 6th century onward. They consist of three main stretches: one along via Torre della Catena bounding the Triggio quarter, one followed by viale dei Rettori on the north side of Piano di Corte, and one on the southern edge of the historic centre above a drop. The walls had eight gates, including the Arch of Trajan (Porta Aurea) and Port'Arsa, and surviving towers such as the polygonal Torre della Catena and the circular Torre De Simone and Torre del Santo Panaro.

These fortifications began as Roman construction and were later expanded by the Lombards. Over the centuries they were repeatedly reinforced, especially during medieval conflicts.

The Port'Arsa gate shows how fortification techniques changed from Roman times through the Middle Ages. Walking past it, you notice different stone types and building methods that reveal each era's approach to defense.

The surviving stretches are best reached on foot: one runs along via Torre della Catena at the southern edge of the Triggio, another follows viale dei Rettori along the north side of the Piano di Corte, and a third sits on the southern rim of the historic centre above the drop toward the newer quarters. Port'Arsa, entered from the via Appia Antica side near the Ponte Leproso, is the way into the Triggio. Parts of the walls now serve as walls of later buildings, so look for the masonry rather than a continuous walkway.

Excavations in 1903 revealed pieces of an ancient Temple of Isis built into the walls. These stones were reused as foundation materials during a 7th-century reconstruction.