Wander around the Sant'agata De' Goti

The picturesque medieval town is rested on a steep bluff above a river gorge.  While Sant'Agata de' Goti is just a few miles from Caserta,  its magnificent royal palace, Sant'Agata feels like a world away. It has numerous millennia of history, dating back to the ancient Samnite city of Saticula. It was taken over by the Romans, then dominated by the Goths (who lent it the name), the Longobards, and then became part of the Duchy of Benevento. It still lives in the Middle Ages, as the historic center is a well-preserved warren of narrow lanes leading to tiny piazzas, with pretty shops and palaces in between.

While Sant'Agata de' Goti is most famous for the side view of the town from the bridge, we found the whole town oozing with charm.

Wandering the old streets and taking in an authentic piece of Italian history was a wonderful step back in time. We could easily park outside the city's main stretch, find a lovely place for lunch, and then wander around the city for a few hours. Because it was New Years Day, we had the city to ourselves pretty much so we would advise visiting off-season to experience the charm as much as possible.