Sepino between Saepinum, mountain trails and Samnite history

Sepino between Saepinum and the mountain trails

When you explore Sepino, you encounter Roman urban history, Samnite remains and a landscape accessible via paths, mountains and water. The visitable remains of the Roman city of Saepinum are located in Altilia. Terravecchia is the mountain site of the previously existing fortified Samnite centre of Sepino.

Saepinum was built at the intersection of the route later known as the Tratturo Pescasseroli-Candela and a route running from the Matese massif towards the hills of the Tammaro river plain. This connection between the ancient city and inherited routes gives orientation on site its own historical perspective: here, transport routes are not merely practical lines, but also part of the area's history.

Archaeology with different points of access

The Parco Archeologico di Sepino offers thematic approaches to agro-pastoral culture, forests and nature, water and sky, built and transformed heritage, and transport routes. The Pianoro di Campitello di Sepino and the surrounding mountains are considered attractions in Sepino. This gives you different points of connection, depending on whether you are primarily interested in archaeology, the landscape, local ways of life or historical links.

In Altilia-Saepinum, a footpath offers views of the circuit of walls, the remains of collapses along the outer wall and stone slabs that probably belonged to the former parapet walk. The themed tour “On the Tratturo: the Decumanus” illustrates the importance of the old transport routes; with “On the mountain trails: the Cardo”, the park also draws attention to the connection between the city and the mountain trails.

The Museo della città e del territorio of Saepinum displays archaeological finds from excavation campaigns carried out between the 1950s and 1990s. The presentation is arranged chronologically, takes the original excavation contexts into account and groups the objects thematically. Finds from the urban area and the necropolis of the Roman municipium of Saepinum illustrate various aspects of urban life during the imperial period.

Notable individual features include the Fontana del Grifo on the Decumanus, which has been declared a national monument, and Porta Boiano. This gate is considered the only one of Saepinum's four gates to have been almost completely reconstructed. The theatre of Saepinum had two tetrapyla at the ends of its semicircle as entrances. At the Postierla del Matese, you can also see one of the best-preserved examples of Samnite military construction. The Italic temple of San Pietro in Cantoni was built at the same time as the construction of the Ocre, the fortified settlement.

Nature trails, water and local heritage

The historic springs of Tre Fontane in Sepino are associated with the healing properties of the water. These effects are said to have been known as early as the time of ancient Altilia-Saepinum, around two thousand years ago. A nature trail connects the Lama and Porta Paradiso area with the Terme Tre Fontane thermal area and the Cascata delle Castagne. Sepino also has signposted nature trails for walking and trekking, as well as bridleways along the Tratturo.

The Tesoro also adds a religious and artisanal dimension to the picture of Sepino. The relics of the arm of Saint Cristina are kept there; there are also silver-plated copper busts in eight wall niches. If you would like to combine different interests when choosing a hotel in Sepino, the combination of Saepinum, the museum, nature trails, historic springs and religious heritage provides a varied basis for planning your trip.

Getting there and finding your way around

You can reach Sepino via the SS 87 and SS 17 state roads, using the respective Sepino exits. A bus route operated by Autolinee Larivera connects the town to Campobasso via San Giuliano del Sannio and Cercepiccola. Your planning can therefore focus both on road access and on a documented bus connection. Depending on the focus of your trip, you can consider the archaeological areas, the mountain landscape or the nature trails as different points of orientation during your stay.

Further destinations:Oratino, Roccavivara, Montefalcone nel Sannio, Lido Campomarino, Castropignano, Castelbottaccio, Ferrazzano, Rotello

For the overarching travel overview: Campobasso.