Sant'Agata de' Goti

The town occupies a spur of volcanic tuff between the Martorano and Riello streams, and buildings were raised directly on the rock edge, so from the valley the houses appear to grow out of a cliff on both flanks. The name records the Goths, who held the area in the sixth century. The Ducal castle stands at one end, and the cathedral keeps a crypt with reused ancient columns. Alfonso Maria de' Liguori was bishop here in the eighteenth century. Streets inside are narrow and the plan is essentially linear along the ridge, ending in the churches at the far point.

What you actually see

• The cliff edge - houses standing directly on the tuff face.
• The linear plan - one ridge street with lanes off it.
• The cathedral crypt - reused ancient columns beneath the church.
• The ducal castle - a fortified residence at the town's entrance.

When to go

April to October; the best views of the cliff are from the valley road below. Summer weekends bring day trippers. Winter is quiet with reduced opening.

Honest expectations

The town is small and walked in an hour. The cliff view requires driving to the valley below. Church hours are limited and irregular.

Nearby

Benevento lies east; Caserta is west.