The Siege of Compsa

A re-enactment born among the ruins of Compsa

The Siege of Compsa is a cultural event through which Conza della Campania, a small town in the Alta Irpinia area of the province of Avellino, recounts its ancient history through theater, storytelling, and historical outreach. The starting point is a precise historical episode: in 216 BC, following the Battle of Cannae, Hannibal arrived in Compsa — Kampsa to the Irpini, a Samnite people — which the local notable Stazio Trebio surrendered to the Carthaginian leader. From this core of memory, a festival has been held since 2020, changing its perspective and historical focus each year, moving from the Irpinian and Roman ages to the Middle Ages and the modern era of the Gesualdo counts.

The stage: the Historical and Archaeological Park of Compsa

The event typically takes place in the Historical and Archaeological Park of Compsa, on Via Belvedere Belgio, located in the old town center destroyed by the November 23, 1980 earthquake. Today, the site is protected due to its significant Roman and pre-Roman urban structures. Here, one can identify the paved area of the forum, a section of the amphitheater, remains of thermal baths, the 1741 monumental cross, and the ruins of the 18th-century church built on medieval foundations. It is a setting that requires no scenery: performances are held outdoors in the Teatro Aperto (Open Theater) of Piazza Croce, with the landscape of the upper Ofanto valley as a backdrop.

What to expect

The format varies from year to year, but some elements are regular features:

• Original theatrical performances, written about local history and staged by the Clan H company directed by Lucio Mazza (ranging from Stazio Trebio – Rebel Blood to Ego Compsanus Sum – Publio Gavio);
• Storytelling trails among the ruins, with staggered departures for small groups, such as Stories of History – The Gesualdo Family, curated by I Teatranti del Sipario;
• Meetings and conferences with scholars and archaeologists, dedicated to ancient Compsa and the excavations in the area;
• Food stalls featuring Irpinian specialties, set up during the evenings of the performances;
• Historical pageant in period costumes, featured in some editions with a procession starting from Piazza Sandro Pertini.

The 2026 edition

The official program of the 2026 Conza Summer, promoted by the Municipality of Conza della Campania with the Pro Loco, the Youth Forum, and local associations, schedules the «Siege of Compsa» – 6th edition for July 4, 2026, at 5:00 PM, in the council chamber of the Town Hall. The event takes the form of an in-depth seminar titled «Compsa between the Irpini and the Romans», featuring Professor Vincenzo Di Giovanni of the University of Naples Federico II, an archaeologist who has worked on the sites of Aeclanum, Castelnuovo di Conza, and Conza della Campania, and author of a book by the same title. An edition focused more on education than spectacle, yet consistent with the festival's mission: to understand before re-enacting.

Conza della Campania and the Alta Irpinia

We are in the far eastern edge of Campania, near the border with Basilicata, in a territory of rolling hills and vast horizons. The current town was rebuilt in a new location after the 1980 earthquake, while the ancient settlement became an archaeological area: a rare condition that makes Conza one of the few places in Italy where you can walk through a historic center entirely transformed into a park. A few minutes away is the WWF Oasis of Lake Conza, a wetland of great interest for birdwatching, often included in the same summer program with tours and observation evenings.

Why it's worth the trip

The Siege of Compsa is not a massive re-enactment with thousands of extras; it is a community cultural project, built by local associations as part of the Irpinian Itineraries of Culture, History, Theater, and Traditions project, with free admission and recommended booking. Visitors from out of town will find an unusual opportunity to explore a lesser-known archaeological site, hear stories that usually remain in books, and end the evening with typical Irpinian products. A tip: always check the dates on the Sistema Irpinia portal or with the Municipality, as the timing of the event has changed several times, shifting from summer to spring and then to late September.