THE 'NDOCCIATA' OF AGNONE

traditions / history / food and wine

(two days / one night)

DAY 1 - AGNONE

Arrival in Agnone and lunch in a typical restaurant. This ancient Samnite city is home to what is presumed to be the oldest bell-making factory in the world. We will take a guided tour of Fonderia Marinelli and its Museum. At sunset, we will witness the wonderful spectacle of the 'Ndocciata. As the bells toll, we will watch as hundreds of bearers light the 'ndocce and make their way along Agnone’s high street, which suddenly becomes an exciting river of fire. Those fortunate enough to have witnessed this spectacular and evocative procession of flames and sparks tell of a long, interminable emotion that is difficult to describe, unless experienced first-hand. 

Afterwards, transfer to Roccavivara for check-in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 2 - ROCCAVIVARA - ISERNIA

Breakfast at the hotel and visit to the Santuario di Santa Maria del Canneto. Transfer to Isernia to visit to the Museo Nazionale del Paleolitico (National Palaeolithic Museum), with an exhibit of the oldest human encampment in Europe - a must-see for those who want to discover the stages of human evolution through prehistoric tools and behaviour. We will discover the countless artefacts that have contributed to our knowledge of daily life habits, and we will know more about how the first camps of humans, who arrived in present-day Europe around 700,000 years ago, lived were organized.

We will continue with a tour of Isernia's historical centre, which, despite the devastating bombing of 10 September 1943, preserves the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, which stands on a pagan temple dating back to the 3rd century B.C. The Church has undergone several modifications and embellishments over the centuries, including the last one, in 1700, with the precious marbles commissioned by Bishop Michelangelo La Peruta, together with a valuable majolica floor. Leaning against the façade of the Cathedral is the beautiful Arco di San Pietro, an ancient bell tower. Visit to the Cathedral and its excavations. Walking up the streets of the old city centre, we will get to Piazza Celestino V, known as Piazza Concezione, where we will find the magnificent and mysterious Fontana Fraterna, whose origin and original position are not known for certain. The afternoon will end with a walk through the pretty and characteristic Borgo del Merletto.

Lunch at a restaurant in the city centre.                                                       

INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION FEE FROM € 149.00

PERIOD: DECEMBER