Church of San Donato in Benevento

In the Fravola district, one of Benevento's historic quarters once full of parishes and monasteries, stands the church of San Donato. Between 1198 and 1412 it was known as Santa Maria dei Sanniti; it then took the name of the holy bishop of Arezzo, whose relics still rest beneath the high altar. It was restored by Archbishop Orsini after the earthquakes of 1688 and 1702.The interior has a single nave with two chapels on each side. In front of the church we like to pause by the two-spout fountain known as the strawberry fountain ("fragola"). A curious folk tradition lasted until the early 20th century: sick children were placed on a large scale in the church, in the hope of healing. We suggest visiting it as you stroll through the lanes of the historic centre.