Here stood ancient Capua, the "second Rome" Cicero set against the Urbs: Santa Maria Capua Vetere keeps its Campanian amphitheatre, second in size only to the Colosseum — and likely its model — where the gladiators trained whose school launched Spartacus's revolt in 73 BC. The gladiator museum and that of ancient Capua complete the story.
The underground mithraeum, with its fresco of the god slaying the bull, is among the world's best preserved; the early-Christian cathedral lines up ancient columns. A capital of archaeology at provincial prices, ten minutes from the Caserta Royal Palace.
The Santa Maria Capua Vetere guide
Near Santa Maria Capua Vetere
The closest destinations covered by our editors, with straight-line distance.
