Roccamandolfi. The Norman Longobard Castle
2021
On the top of the hill on which the town is built there are the ruins of a Norman castle built on a pre-existing Lombard fortress, the subject of studies even in recent times.
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2023
Vastogirardi, novembre 2023
Physical geography
It is located at 1200 m above sea level. in the part of Molise bordering Abruzzo. The territory of Vastogirardi (IS) extends over an area of 60.72 km² and borders the municipalities of Capracotta to the north, San Pietro Avellana, Castel di Sangro (AQ) and Rionero Sannitico to the west, Forlì del Sannio, Roccasicura and Carovilli to the south, Agnone to the east. From a morphological point of view, the territory is separated from that of Capracotta by reliefs of Monte Capraro, which oscillate between 1300 - 1350 m, which descend steeply to Piano S. Angelo and Difesa Grande and Capo di Trigno (ancient lake basin ) at an altitude of 1100 m from which the Trigno river originates, one of the two most important Molise rivers which flows into the Adriatic Sea and gives its name to the road of the same name which reaches up to San Salvo (CH), i.e. the Trignina. To the west are the mountains of Montagnola (1292 m) and Monte Miglio (1350 m), to the south is Monte Pizzi (1373 m), while to the east are the mountains of Montagna Fiorita with Montarone (1278 m). Vastogirardi develops close to a hill at the top of which are the castle and the ecclesiastical complex of San Nicola di Bari. Inside the walls is the village, which appears well preserved in its original defense function, as evidenced by the cylindrical towers incorporated in factories and the supports between building blocks. The result of subsequent expansions, the churches of S. Rocco and S. Maria delle Grazie were built at the beginning of the 18th century and incorporated into the third urban expansion dating back to the 18th - 19th century. Over the course of the last century the town no longer followed the aggregation trend of stepped bands, according to the morphological trend of the site, but developed along via Garibaldi c.da Difensa (towards Castel di Sangro) and via Re d'Italia (direction Isernia).
Origins of the name
It is assumed that the name Vastogirardi originates from the name of a crusader captain, Giusto Girardi. In the past it also took the name of Castrum Girardi due to the castle (other attested toponyms are Castel Girardo, Rocca Girardo, Guasti Belardi, Guardia Giraldo and Guardia Gerardo) and subsequently its current name, deriving from an alliteration of Lombard jargon.
2024
Macchiagodena. Church of San Lorenzo.
The church of San Lorenzo is located near the Castle. Initially the structure was used as a convent, until it was abolished in 1866.
2022
Isernia. Monument to the fallen of the F. W. War
2023
Roccavivara, Sanctuary of S. Maria di Canneto
Surrounded by pines, in an area already inhabited in Roman times, the abbey-sanctuary of S. M. di Canneto rises isolated in the middle of an olive grove.
2022
Carpinone. Caldora castle.
The castle was built in the 11th century, in the shape of an irregular pentagon, bordered by 5 towers, above the ravine overlooking the Carpino river. In 1223 it was destroyed by Ruggero da Pescolanciano.
2020
Macchia d'Isernia. Baronial castle D'Alena
The castle occupies a substantial portion of the ancient circular village. It was built around 1100 by Clementina, daughter of Ruggero II Normanno, king of Sicily, when the fiefdom was part of the county of Ugone del Molise. The garrison passed into the hands of the Anjou, the Afflitto and the Rotondi barons. In 1480 it was restored in the Renaissance style as a patrician residence, purchased by Giovanni Donato della Marra, who was count of Macchia. In 1748 the castle was sold to Maria Grazia Rotondi, then sold to Nicola d'Alena. Celeste d'Alena was baroness of Macchia, married to the Frisari, counts of Bisceglie and patricians of Castel San Vincenzo. The façade of the building dominates the square in front of the village, embellished by a Renaissance loggia with round arches. The first part of this loggia dates back to the Aragonese period, with a roof resting on 5 small arches. The rest of the castle is spread over 3 levels, the highest of which is the attic. In the inner courtyard the beautiful Renaissance staircase with the colonnade, which leads to the noble floors, stands out. On the ground floor there are the cellars, the stables and the servants' rooms. The upper floor was the home of the nobles, with various rooms, including the private chapel with different relics. In 1984 the castle was fully restored, being brought back to its eighteenth-century splendor.
2025
Frosolone. Church of San Pietro Apostolo 2025
2024
Carpinone. The waterfalls. Spring 2024
In the heart of a very small village in Molise, immersed in an enchanted forest and floral nature, stands the Carpinone waterfall, one of the most fascinating natural spectacles of the place. The rush of foaming water, which rushes downwards, pervades you as soon as you take the path and when you finally reach it you have a fantastic visual effect of light and roar. The Carpinone waterfall is becoming one of the major natural attractions of Molise, thanks also to a group of volunteers who, for some years, have been taking care of its appearance to make it accessible to everyone and not just to the few enthusiasts or those who despise the danger... She's too beautiful to leave there alone! It was born as a gift from nature and can be reached by following various paths, all immersed in the bright greenery of Molise and all marked with hand-made wooden signs, so as not to affect the suggestive panorama. As you walk, you feel a very pleasant emotion thanks to the direct contact with nature, the breathing of healthy, clean air and the sight of wonderful floral species that make everything fairytale-like.
2023
Pietrabbondante. Panorama
2007
Castiglione di Carovilli (IS)
Castiglione di Carovilli (o Castiglione) è una frazione del comune di Carovilli, nella provincia di Isernia, Molise. Sito in una zona di grande valore paesaggistico e faunistico, oggi conta circa 200 abitanti, mentre agli inizi del secolo la popolazione era attorno al migliaio di unità. Rilevante è la presenza dell'Oasi WWF di Collearso (attraversata dal fiume Trigno) nella quale si possono osservare molte specie di mammiferi (cinghiale, daino, volpe, lupo, puzzola europea, tasso, donnola), uccelli (nibbio), rettili (vipera comune, lucertola, biscia) e anfibi. Per ciò che riguarda il patrimonio storico e architettonico va segnalata l'antica chiesa sul colle, risalente al Quattrocento, che oggi, specie nei mesi estivi, ospita manifestazioni teatrali e di musica classica.