Limatola between the Castello, Borgo and churches

Limatola lies in a valley bounded to the east by the Taburno massif, to the north and west by the hills of the Campanian Apennine foothills and the Monte Maggiore group, and to the south by the Monti Tifatini. Medieval buildings, churches and expansive valley views give the town its distinctive character. The medieval Castello di Limatola is particularly striking; it was built around the year 1000 on a Samnite acropolis.

Castello and medieval Borgo

During the Renaissance, extensive remodeling transformed the military complex into a manor house. The medieval Borgo surrounds the Castello in a ring; five Catalan arches have been preserved there. In the upper castle courtyard stands the two-aisled church of San Nicola „intra castrum“, accessed through a Romanesque portal. At the Castello, the Samnite acropolis, the medieval complex and the Renaissance alterations thus come together in a single building.

Churches from different stylistic periods

San Nicola „intra castrum“ is already mentioned in the 1113 bull delineating the Diocese of Caserta. San Biagio has a single-aisled, Baroque-style nave inside, a square presbytery with a dome and stucco decoration. The church also features a Renaissance portal from 1599 and a plaque commemorating the restorations of 1734.

The Chiesa Madre dell’Annunziata was consecrated in 1404 and preserves a Renaissance portal decorated with sculptures from 1504. The old church of Sant’Eligio was built by the French in 1388. Today, Sant’Eligio is a sanctuary restored by the Soprintendenza ai beni ambientali, architettonici, artistici e storici of the Province of Caserta.

Views and cultural impressions

The forecourt in front of Sant’Eligio offers a spectacular view over the middle Volturno Valley towards Capua. The restored polyptych from the Chiesa Madre dell’Annunziata is currently held in storage at the Museo del Territorio at the Reggia di Caserta.

For the Castello di Limatola, the cultural association „Ave Gratia Plena“ received permission from the owners to organize guided tours in summer. The Castello also hosted the 16th edition of the Christmas markets „Cadeaux al Castello“.

Getting there and cultural themes

From Caserta railway station, you can take a bus to Limatola. Those seeking the medieval side of the town will find it at the Castello, in the ring-shaped Borgo and in San Nicola „intra castrum“. The churches of San Biagio, the Chiesa Madre dell’Annunziata and Sant’Eligio add to the town’s history with a Baroque-style interior, a Renaissance portal and a restored sanctuary. From the forecourt in front of Sant’Eligio, the view extends over the middle Volturno Valley towards Capua. Traveling via Caserta leads to a town where the castle courtyard, church interior, portals and valley views form different facets of its history.

More places for trip planning: Buonalbergo, Benevento, Bonea, Montesarchio, Apice Vecchio, San Marco Dei Cavoti, Torrecuso, Paduli.

To the overarching travel overview: Benevento.