Calvi Risorta: Ancient Cales and its cultural heritage

Calvi Risorta offers a cultural and historical focus with two points of reference: the archaeological site of ancient Cales near the present-day town, and the Romanesque cathedral of Calvi Risorta. Cales represents a long history of settlement, while the cathedral and grottoes reveal the religious architecture and visual art of the Middle Ages. Anyone planning a trip to Calvi Risorta can thus distinguish between the history of the ancient city and its sacred heritage.

Cales between the plateau and the ancient city plan

The archaeological site of Cales lies on a long plateau surrounded by the Rio de’ Lanzi and Rio Pezzasecca streams. Cales was founded by the Ausonians; from 334 BC, it was a Roman colony. The history of the place therefore reaches beyond the Roman period. The city walls also reveal several layers from different periods: they enclosed six gates, and some sections date from the 5th century BC.

The Autostrada del Sole crosses the urban area of ancient Cales. The ancient site also includes the so-called Ponte delle Monache: it was cut into the tuff so that a road could run towards the ager Falernus. The structure can thus be understood both as work carved into the rock and in the context of this road connection.

Roman buildings and different periods

The amphitheatre of Cales dates from the 1st century BC and shows later building phases from the imperial period. The central baths were also built early: they date from the early 1st century BC and preserve parts of rooms almost completely; some of these rooms still feature stucco decoration.

A comparison with the northern baths reveals a different form of construction and preservation. They date from the 1st to 2nd century AD; their remains are arranged on three levels along the Cardo maximus. At the central baths, the preserved room sections and their stucco decoration are particularly notable, while the multi-level layout shapes the archaeological impression of the northern baths. Together, the buildings show that Cales encompasses more than a single period or type of building.

Cathedral, grottoes and frescoes

The Romanesque cathedral of Calvi Risorta dates from the 11th century and is a national monument. The Grotta dei Santi and the Grotta delle Formelle also attest to sacred visual art from the 10th and 11th centuries. The Grotta dei Santi is a cave carved into the tuff, with around 30 wall frescoes. The Grotta delle Formelle is also carved into the tuff; its frescoes date from the same period. The cathedral and the two grottoes thus bring together architectural history and medieval frescoes, without conflating their distinct features.

Digital interpretation and travel planning

Using Oculus headsets, Mu.Vi.Ca. enables visitors to move virtually among the ruins of the Roman theatre of Cales, presented as a 3D reconstruction. An interactive QR-code tour provides dynamic background information during a visit. These digital forms of interpretation offer a different perspective from viewing the masonry, baths and caves. The calenian wines, which were highly regarded by the Romans, also form part of the historical context.

If you are looking for a hotel in Calvi Risorta, you can first consider the focus of your trip: Cales represents the history of the ancient city, while the cathedral and grottoes represent sacred architecture and frescoes. To plan a visit, it is advisable to check access to each site in advance.

Discover more destinations: San Tammaro, Lauro, Sant'Angelo d'Alife, Statigliano, Aversa, Filorsi, Prata sannita, Marcianise.

For the broader travel overview: Caserta.