Discover Italy Central Italy Regions Guide to Molise
Guide to Molise (34)
START YOUR VISIT TO MOLISE HERE
Molise is Italy's least visited region and an itinerary to discover the history and culture of what used to be part of Abruzzo should take in the towns of Scapoli, San Vincenzo al Volturno, Isernia, Agnone, Sepino, Pietrabbondante and Capracotta in that order.
This itinerary to discover the history and culture of Molise takes in the towns of Scapoli, San Vincenzo al Volturno, Isernia, Agnone, Sepino, Pietrabbondante and Capracotta in that order. Here is a little on 5 of them.
Sepino - a walled Roman city (like Pompei) with forum, theatre, shops and four entrance gates which are still visible. In fact, the name of ancient Saepinum comes from the Latin meaning gate or fence. Read more about the Sepino Valley here.
Scapoli - in the last week of July the International Bagpipe festival takes place. It is a big happening of folk music, musicians and people coming from all Europe. The local wind instruments are known as 'zampogne'. Read more about the zampogne and ancient Italian music here.
San Vincenzo a Volturno - visit the remains of the monastery with its 8 chapels, buildings, workshops and refectory for 400 monks which was destroyed by the Saracens 881. The crypt of the Abbott Epifanio, which is entirely decorated by frescoes dates from 824. The existing abbey was reconstructed in the 11th century on the opposite bank of the river.
Isernia - see the Romanesque/Neoclassical cathedral built on the site of a pagan temple. Visit the remains of the Roman viaduct and the museum housed in the ex Monastery of Saint Mary of the Monks with fragments of Roman lapidae and the remains of Homo Aeserniensis dating from a million years ago. Also of note is the Fontana della Fraterna (a public fountain constructed between the 13th and 14th centuries) and the hermitage of Saints Cosma and Damiano. Read a brief history of Isernia here.
Agnone - visit the Papal Bell Foundry 'Marinelli' with its adjacent museum where you can trace the history of bell making over a thousand years. There are numerous churches and shops with articles worked in copper and iron.
OUR BEST MOLISE ARTICLES
Consult our Molise travel articles below, or access them from the links above right divided by recipes, food, wine, itineraries, tours and trip suggestions.
Prehistoric Molise Museum
Corpus Domini in Campobasso
Frosolone
Fires of Saint Anthony celebrations
