What brings Benevento to life, in addition to its picture postcard surroundings, is its rich history. It was the meeting place of six main roads, which brought many to and through this area. The fortification of town was enhanced by the many stretches of medieval fortresses as well as the Calore and Sabato Rivers. The rivers flow from the Monti Picentini mountain range through Avellino, into Benevento and then into the Volturno. Location, location, location was the apt phrase for this early strategic stronghold of this part of Italy. To many historians it is one of the most important cities in Southern Italy. One important transportation route that ran right by this city was the Via Appia, or Appian Way. The Appian Way was one of the first and one of the most strategically important roads of Ancient Rome. It connected Rome to Southeast Italy. Even Statius, a Roman poet of the first century, wrote of its importance - "the Appian Way is commonly said to be the queen of the long roads". Its history dates back to 312 BC.
