The Aeclanum Archaeological Park is a place of historical-archaeological interest located in the Passo di Mirabella hamlet, in the municipality of Mirabella Eclano.
The site overlooks the Via Appia, the so-called "Regina Viarum", the road that connected Rome to Brindisi, on the stretch of which between Benevento and Mirabella Eclano the remains of the imposing bridge known as the "broken bridge" are still visible.
The archaeological park is obviously linked to the events of Aeclanum, founded read more
The Aeclanum Archaeological Park is a place of historical-archaeological interest located in the Passo di Mirabella hamlet, in the municipality of Mirabella Eclano.
The site overlooks the Via Appia, the so-called "Regina Viarum", the road that connected Rome to Brindisi, on the stretch of which between Benevento and Mirabella Eclano the remains of the imposing bridge known as the "broken bridge" are still visible.
The archaeological park is obviously linked to the events of Aeclanum, founded by the Samnite tribe of the Irpini, around the end of the 3rd century BC. According to the historian Appiano, its first fortification was made of wood and was set on fire by the dictator Silla in 89 BC. during the social war against Mario. Subsequently, around 87 BC, the walls were rebuilt at the same time as the establishment of the municipium with the right to vote and the enrollment in the Cornelia tribe. Its decline is linked to the arrival of the Longobards in 570 and was definitively destroyed in 662 by Emperor Constant II of Byzantium, who was besieging the Longobard Benevento.
In the first half of the twentieth century, the first archaeological excavations were carried out which brought to light the remains and traces of buildings dating back to the imperial period. Today in the Archaeological Park of Aeclanum, in an area of about 18 hectares, the remains of the Roman city are kept: the public baths, located on a small hill, the covered market square (macellum), some houses and shops .
Furthermore, traces of the fortification are visible, consisting of walls about 10 meters high, built in opus reticulatum composed of travertine prisms and interrupted by at least three gates and towers of different sizes.
Lastly, the construction of an early Christian basilica also dates back to the late ancient age, the remains of which can still be seen date back to the age of the emperor Justinian and suggest the presence of a baptismal font with a Greek cross plan and steps leading to the immersion ritual.
Site of immeasurable historical and archaeological importance, the Archaeological Park of Aeclanum bears witness to the civilization and culture of a town of considerable strategic importance in the classical era. read less
