Area archeologica della necropoli monumentale di Avella

The monumental necropolis of ancient Abella preserves four Roman funerary mausolea along the former road out of the city. Each monument stands within its own enclosure, illustrating the burial architecture of Roman Campania.

Why it matters

The Ministry of Culture dates the necropolis' development from the late Hellenistic period to the early imperial age. Its monuments use masonry techniques also found at other centres in the region, reflecting a shared architectural language for commemorating the dead outside the city.

What to notice

The mausolea have quadrangular lower bodies containing burial chambers, with upper sections that could include pinnacles or small aedicules. Their walls combine opus incertum or reticulatum with brick courses. The monuments stand along the ancient roadway, where tombs marked the approach to and departure from Abella.

Context and history

Samnite chamber tombs had earlier been built in the San Nazzaro and San Paolino districts. The Roman mausolea developed between roughly the first century BC and first century AD. Later, their fabric was quarried and the monuments fell into ruin. They are now protected as part of the archaeological area of ancient Abella.