Solopaca: Wine, Architectural History and Landscape

Solopaca combines a wine tradition with architectural history and the Taburno-Camposauro landscape. This gives you a choice of different focuses when planning your trip: historic palaces and churches, wine experiences, and a festival with a fixed date in the annual calendar.

Palaces and churches: architectural history in detail

The Palazzo Ducale was built by Duke Antonio Maria Ceva Grimaldi between 1672 and 1682. Its original façade features geometric and floral motifs. The history of the Palazzo Cutillo dates back to 1826; most of the building is dedicated to the Museo Enogastronomico. Comparing the dates reveals different phases of construction, while each palace offers its own architectural and cultural points of interest.

The Parrocchia di San Mauro Martire was completed in 1714, after construction began in 1682. Inside, you can see oil paintings by Decio Frascadore and Lucantonio D’Onofrio, both painters from Solopaca. There is also valuable 18th-century stucco work. The church’s construction history, works by local painters and historic furnishings each offer a distinct perspective for culturally minded travelers.

The Ponte Maria Cristina and its history

The Ponte Maria Cristina was inaugurated on 5 April 1835 by Ferdinand II of Bourbon and Queen Maria Cristina of Savoy. The ruins of one of Italy’s first iron suspension bridges remain. The inauguration date and the ruins point to different aspects of its history: the occasion for its opening and the remains of an early bridge type.

Viewpoints and the Taburno landscape

The Palazzo Cutillo has a viewpoint overlooking the Calore Valley and the Taburno. The Santuario di Maria SS. del Roseto lies within the municipality of Solopaca, on Monte delle Rose, inside the Parco Regionale del Taburno-Camposauro, at an altitude of 608 meters. The viewpoint and the sanctuary’s elevation offer different ways to take in the area’s buildings and landscape as you plan your trip.

The Parco Regionale del Taburno-Camposauro lies in the wider area around Solopaca. This protected natural area was established in 1993, covers 12,370 hectares and is located on the Taburno-Camposauro massif in the Province of Benevento. The park has a variety of trails where you can explore local traditions and history. These trails are part of the regional context; the Santuario di Maria SS. del Roseto is itself located within the protected area.

Wine and the Festa dell’Uva

The classic growing area for Solopaca D.O.C. lies entirely within the municipality and covers 600 hectares. The Festa dell’Uva has been held every year on the second Sunday in September since its first edition in 1977. It includes a parade of eleven artistically decorated floats covered with glued-on grapes. If you plan to attend the festival, check the dates for your travel year.

Along the parade route, food stalls offer local dishes such as Cavati, grilled sausages, stuffed peppers and Struscioli, as well as Solopaca wine. The dishes on offer may vary from one edition to another. The festival thus brings together the parade and regional food and wine, without assuming that any particular item will be available every year.

The Cantina di Solopaca offers cellar tours, walks through the vineyards and wine tastings with typical regional products. The offerings also include a vineyard visit with a guided tasting of five wines from the Selezione ORO range and a selection of typical regional products. Check booking details and seasonal availability before your trip.

Getting to Solopaca

For road travel, use the Caianello exit on the A1, continue towards Benevento, then take the Solopaca exit. Solopaca can be reached from Benevento or Naples train stations by regional train or bus. Check current road conditions and connections before setting off to make sure your plans suit the travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Limatola, Pietrelcina, Cusano Mutri, Forchia, San Giorgio Del Sannio, Melizzano, San Martino Sannita, Campoli del Monte Taburno

For the broader travel overview: Benevento.