MOLISE - AUTHENTIC EMOTIONS

history / archaeology / environment/ traditions / food & wine

(five days - four nights)

DAY 1 - VENAFRO

Arrival in Isernia and check-in at the hotel. Departure by GT bus for Venafro. Meeting with the guide and tour of the Castello Pandone. The castle was built on an original Samnite masonry that later became a Roman fortification. In 1498, it became a lordly residence thanks to Count Enrico Pandone, who succeeded his father Francesco. Inside the castle, light relief depictions of horses from the Count's stud farm are still visible, showing their age, breed, name, coat colour and the H symbol, i.e. Henricus' stud farm. At the end of the visit, we will stroll through the streets of the old town, accompanied by our guide, stopping at the Museo Winterline. Finally, a visit to the Archaeological Museum, which houses artefacts ranging from prehistoric to medieval times from the area of ancient Venafrum.

Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 2 - ISERNIA - LARINO

Visit to the Museo Nazionale del Paleolitico, 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 600,000 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 Cattedrale di San Pietro, 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 in a typical restaurant in the historical centre.

In the afternoon, visit of Larino, its historic centre with the Duomo, the Chiesa di San Francesco, the Palazzo Ducale - Roman amphitheatre. 

Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 3 - SEPINO - CAMPOBASSO

Breakfast at the hotel and departure by GT Bus for Sepino. On the way, we will stop at Castelpetroso to visit the majestic Santuario della Madonna Addolorata, which stands on the site where some shepherd children witnessed the apparition of the Virgin Mary at the end of the 19th century, and which continued to be the scene of several miraculous episodes.

Once in Sepino, we will visit the archaeological area of Altilia-Sepino dating back to Roman times. This includes two archaeological sites: Terravecchia/Saipins, which would be the Samnite fortified village, and Saepinum/Altilia, the Roman city. We will then visit Chiesa di Santa Cristina and its crypt, founded in 1570. Inside the church, which probably dates back to the 9th century, is the  Cappella del Tesoro that holds the relics of Santa Cristina and those of other saints.

We will move to Campobasso for lunch. Visit to Campobasso’s historical centre and its beautiful churches, such as the Chiesa di San Giorgio, the oldest in the city and probably built on the ruins of a pagan temple; Chiesa di San Bartolomeo, one of the oldest examples of Romanesque art in Campobasso, close to the Monforte Castle; Chiesa di Santa Maria del Monte, located opposite the Castle and first documented in 1241.

During the walk in the historical centre, we will stop at two important museums. The Museo Sannitico, which houses numerous archaeological artefacts of the Samnite people, and the Museo dei Misteri, which displays the structures and costumes of the city's most representative folkloric event, the Festival dei Misteri, taking place on Corpus Christi Sunday.

Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 4 - PIETRABBONDANTE - AGNONE

Breakfast at the hotel and departure in a Gran Turismo coach for Pietrabbondante, a town in upper Molise, at 1,027 above the sea level, nestled between three enormous boulders known as 'morge' at the foot of Mount Saraceno. Guided tour of the marvellous Teatro Tempio Italico in Pietrabbondante. It preserves the most important archaeological evidence of Samnite religiosity in ancient Molise. The site, surrounded by unspoilt nature, immediately amazes with the uniqueness and importance of the archaeological remains of the temple and theatre, dating back to the late 2nd century BC.

The entire village is particularly beautiful. From the Church dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta you can enjoy a magical and spectacular view of mountains, forests and valleys. 

Transfer in Agnone and lunch in a 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. 

Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 5 - CASTEL SAN VINCENZO - ROCCHETTA A VOLTURNO

Breakfast at the hotel and departure by GT bus for Castel San Vincenzo, where we will visit the monumental complex of San Vincenzo al Volturno. The site hosts the excavations of the 5th-century Lombard abbey on the left bank of the river, and the new 12th-century abbey on the right bank, which has been profoundly rebuilt over the centuries and can still be visited. Today it is home to a Benedictine community. Of great importance is the Cripta di Epifanio, built between 824 and 842 and housing a cycle of frescoes from the 9th century.

Then, we will continue to Rocchetta al Volturno for lunch in a typical restaurant. After lunch, our trip will end and we will return home.

INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION FEE FROM € 580.00

PERIOD: ALL YEAR ROUND