At 953 meters above sea level, overlooking the Tammaro Valley, lies the ancient fortified area of Terravecchia, also known as Samnite Sepino—not to be confused with the Roman site of Saepinum-Altilia below. Surrounded by the Magnaluno and Saraceno streams, this ancient Samnite city still bears the mighty stone walls built in the 4th century BCE for defense against enemy incursions.
Stretching over 1500 meters, the city walls are a marvel of ancient engineering: they feature a double curtain, with a lower outer wall and a taller inner one set back by three meters, between which ran a patrol path. Built with large, interlocking stones without mortar, the walls adapt perfectly to the natural terrain, using rocky slopes and steep drops to enhance defense.
Three gates gave access to the city: the best preserved is the Postierla del Matese, on the eastern side; to the northwest is the Gate of the Acropolis, used for accessing water sources; and most important, the Tratturo Gate, which opened toward the valley and the transhumance trail Pescasseroli-Candela.
In 293 BCE, Roman consul Papirius Cursor led the conquest of the site. According to Livy, 7,400 Samnites died and 3,000 were captured. During the Middle Ages, the upper part of the site (once the acropolis) was resettled with new structures: a square tower, cisterns, and remains of houses were built, reusing the ancient fortifications.
Today, Terravecchia is a unique destination for hikers, history lovers, and archaeologists alike—a place where ancient landscapes and ruins tell the story of the Samnite people and their remarkable legacy of defense, resilience, and adaptation.