by Betty Filippelli Gordon

Cerreto Sannita is a picturesque village surrounded by four mountains and located in the Campania region. Through the years Romans, Byzantines, Lombards, French and Spanish have contributed to the locale's peoples and their traditions.

If you go to Cerreto Sannita, you may take a train to Telese, rent a car / taxi there and drive to Cerreto Sannita. There are also busses from Benevento. Be sure to check on schedules. It is about a 3 hours drive from Naples. There is no train station in Cerreto but bus, taxi, and cars have access to the town.

From ancient times, Cerreto Sannita has been known for its water, air, and wine. In modern times it is a mecca for ceramic hunters.

Its Ceramic Museum displays the origin of the famed Capodimonte ceramics. The King of Naples moved the factory to Naples in the 17th century. But Cerreto Sannita has resurrected its roots in ceramics. There are new factories and many stores.

There are three hotels to accommodate guests. All are lovely ranging from basic to deluxe.

The oldest is a pensione style one star hotel called Hotel Maracaibo. I stayed there when it was new and the only hotel in town in 1968. My fondest memory is sitting on the balcony having eggs served to me in the cooking pans and looking down over the Town's fountain. The Hotel (named for the original owner's youth spent in Maracaibo, Venezuela) was recently renovated. Check Italian Hotel web sites for amenities and prices. Presently, Hotel Maracaibo does not have its own web site. It is located in town at:
Via Vescovo Massarelli, 83
Cerreto Sannita
Tel. 0824 861063

The other two hotels are three star.

Hotel A'Capuano is located slightly above the village and offers beautiful views of the town.
Via Lupariello,1
Cerreto Sannita
Tel. 0824 861002
Web site: www.acapuana.it
Email: info@acapuano.it
Amenities, Languages spoken are noted on the web site.

I stayed at A'Capuano and it is a lovely modern hotel. From it, you can look down on the town of Cerreto Sannita which was designed in a checkerboard pattern. It is patterned after the town of Torino and architects from Torino were said to have come to Cerreto Sannita in the 17th century to help rebuild the town. An earthquake had destroyed one quarter of the towns in the Campania region. Because of this straight road pattern, it is very easy to drive or walk and find your way around the town.

The newest 3 star hotel is La Vecchia Quercia (The Old Oak Tree) and it is located on the road to the neighboring village, which is called Guardia Sanframonde. Originally a restaurant, it was expanded to a 3 star Hotel just a few years ago. I have not stayed there, but my cousins have. It is equal to A'Capuano but does not have a pool.
Via Cerquelle, 25
Cerreto Sannita
0824 861263
Web site: www.vecchiaquercia.com
A German Web site with more photos of the La Vecchia Quercia

B&B's and Agriturismo (stay at a farmhouse) sites are also available - Bed and Breakfast a Cerreto Sannita

There are interesting tourist destinations surrounding Cerreto Sannita:

Telese: known from ancient times for its spas and healing waters. I have been there also- it is a 20 minute drive by car or bus from Cerreto Sannita. It has a train station with direct service from Benevento and Naples.

Guardia Sanframonde: City of steps. Take a good pair of walking shoes. You can also drive into the town from Cerreto Sannita. I spent a day there in City Hall researching the Filippelli side of my family.

San Lorenzello: located a short distance from Cerreto Sannita. My cousin drove us there to his cousin's ceramic factory.

Petranoia: a must see on my next visit. Petranoia (City of Rocks) has a Dinosaur Park. Some of the oldest dinosaur tracks in the world were found there less than 15 years ago.

Skiing: A German company has established skiing lodges in the mountains above Cerreto Sannita. Check skiing web sites for more info.

Shops/Stores

Italiansrus Gear
Proudly display the colors of Italy with these great products.

RomeGiftShop
Purchase souvenirs & gifts from Rome & Italy. Get FREE postcards from Rome.

Italian Charms
Huge selection of Italian charms and jewelry.

FORZIERI.com
The world largest online retailer for Premium Italian Fashions.