Pontecagnano: Necropolises and Picentia

Pontecagnano reveals itself through archaeological evidence from several periods. Necropolises, sanctuaries, and traces of the ancient settlement give the area a distinctive cultural and historical character. When choosing a place to stay in Pontecagnano, the local finds and archaeological park are therefore key considerations.

Necropolises, Sanctuaries, and Ancient Finds

The visitor route at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Pontecagnano covers the city’s urban development, necropolises, sanctuaries, and craft production. These themes trace the area from its earliest settlement remains through the different forms of urban life and burial culture.

The western necropolis provides evidence of continuous settlement in the area as early as the Eneolithic period. By the 6th century BCE, the settlement had an urban character. It included two sanctuaries and a defensive structure consisting of an earthen rampart and ditch. Taken together, these findings show that Pontecagnano’s history is not limited to the Roman period.

The Hellenistic necropolises add to this picture. Painted Hellenistic tombs were discovered in one of them in the 1980s. Most were chamber or box tombs, with traces of color or ornamental decoration. For visitors interested in archaeology, this connects the broader history of settlement with tangible evidence of ancient burial practices.

Picentia and the Archaeological Park

The Romans founded Picentia in 268 BCE; some remains are visible in the Parco Archeologico di Pontecagnano. The park covers 22 hectares behind the modern settlement and includes the remains of the ancient Etruscan-Campanian settlement. Here, you can encounter different historical layers: the location of the ancient town and the surviving traces of its buildings.

Excavations in the park uncovered a fully exposed street block of the Roman colony of Picentia. It includes the main street, the Decumanus, a side street, and remains from several building phases. The Decumanus was the main street of the excavated block; together with the side street and structural changes, it makes it possible to trace the layout of the Roman street network.

Green Oasis and Urban Gardens

The archaeological park is also a green oasis offering opportunities for social interaction, education, and relaxation. Its grounds include an environmental education center and an urban gardening area. If these activities are important to your visit, check the current program and opening arrangements in advance.

Within the archaeological park area of Pontecagnano Faiano, Legambiente manages more than 60 urban gardens. These include educational gardens visited by schools from across Campania. Management, numbers, and educational activities may change; confirm the current details if you plan to make them a fixed part of your visit.

Market and Tastings

As of January 2025, the Mercato della Terra dei Picentini was scheduled for the first Saturday of each month at Giardini Falcone e Borsellino on Piazza Sabbato in Pontecagnano Faiano. Tastings were part of the visitor program in June 2024. Check current event dates before your trip if you would like to include the market in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Torraca, Rosaine, Vallo Della Lucania, Castelnuovo Cilento, Ceraso, Altavilla Silentina, Albanella, San Nicola.

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