On the slopes of Mount Taburno lies Montesarchio, one of the most densely populated centres in the entire Caudina Valley. In fact, the municipality has around 13400 inhabitants.
According to some scholars, the town originated in the ancient Samnite ‘Caudium’ (from which the name ‘Valle Caudina’ would derive) founded in VIII BC. The town witnessed the famous Battle of the Caudine Forks, a battle in which the Romans were defeated by the Samnites and suffered the punishment of the Caudine Forks.
Numerous archaeological remains such as the Caudium excavations, the thermal baths, the aqueduct and the via Appia connecting Rome and Brindisi date back to Roman times. In fact, Montesarchio was a necessary passage for the trade and operations of Roman troops.
The territory of Montesarchio was a feudal possession from 1278 to 1480 of the Della Leonessa family, of the Carafa family from 1480 to 1528, and finally of the D’Avalos family, who held it until the abandonment of the feudal system in 1806. Later, the municipality integrated into the Principato Ultra and the province of Benevento in 1861.
Montersarchio also suffered major consequences and destruction after the earthquake of 1688. During the rule of Ferdinand II of Bourbon, the castle and tower were used as the national maximum security prison: Michele Pironti, Nicola Nisco and Carlo Poerio were imprisoned there.
Today, the municipality is an important agricultural and industrial centre. In particular, activities such as the processing of tobacco and building materials are carried out by companies in the town. The town is also highly developed from a commercial point of view; there are numerous shops, banks and businesses.