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Guide to Molise

Guide to Molise (34)

MOLISE TRAVEL INFORMATION AND TOURISM SUGGESTIONS

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, Isernia and Agnone, in that order. Here is a little on 3 of them.

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'.

Isernia: 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.

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.

Consult our latest Molise travel articles below, or access them from the links right divided by recipes, food, wine, itineraries, tours and trip suggestions.

Easter pizza recipe

Published in Molise Recipes

I have been looking for a recipe for pizza di grano starting with uncooked wheat. Can you please send a recipe in time for Easter? My grandmother and mother have passed away and none of my aunts seem to have my grandmother's recipe. There are many so called 'Easter Pizza' recipes in Italy and all refer to sweets made of eggs and ricotta cheese. We have, however, found a recipe for 'Pizza Assettata' from Molise made from wheat. It is a type of focaccia. To make the pizza you need wheat flour or 'farina di grano tenero' olive oil, fennel…

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Last modified on 26 March 2013

Carnival in Molise

Published in Molise Itineraries

Carnevale in Molise is celebrated in darker ways than in many of Italy's other regions. The origins of the festivals are certainly pre-Christian and deepest winter must have been a fearful time for the inhabitants thousands of years ago. At Castelnuovo del Volturno, for example, a man is dressed as a deer. He is held back by another person masked as 'pulcinella' before escaping in an attempt to find something to eat. Eventually, he is caught by a hunter who puts a stop to his flight with ceremonial beatings.

Last modified on 02 February 2013

Fires of Saint Anthony Abate

Published in Molise Itineraries

The 'Fuochi di San Antonio' or 'Fires of Saint Anthony' is an ancient festival of folklore which takes place across south Italy every 17th January from Puglia to Sardinia, but also Abruzzo and Molise where it has a profound meaning. Essentially, discarded old wood collected by local children is set alight in strategic bonfires around the towns. The parish priest blesses the pyre closest to the church, then takes a torch to each pyre in turn. The local population congregate around the fires and wistfully tell old stories and anticipate the future. The fires also take place in Sardinia on…

Last modified on 14 January 2013

Local liqueur of Molise

Published in Molise Food

The most typical of the Molisan liqueurs is called 'poncio'. This drink originated as a home made brew before becoming widely available in the bars and pasticcerie shops of the region.

Last modified on 19 December 2012

Cace e Ova Meatballs Recipe

Published in Molise Recipes

Pallotte Cace e Ova with egg and cheese in the Abruzzo way

This Molisani 'meatballs' dish originates from the province of Campobasso and completes a three course menu from the region with the featured recipes on these pages. The meat dish should be preceded by 'Cavatelli con la Zucca' and started with a 'Antipasto Molisano'. ingredients For the polpette: 3 spoonfuls of stale bread, 300gr ricotta cheese, 3 eggs, salt, pepper, 2 spoonfuls of grated parmesan cheese. For the sauce: 250gr of peeled tomatoes, quarter of an onion, 1 hot pepper, half glass of olive oil, salt.

Last modified on 10 November 2012

Cavatelli pasta with pumpkin recipe

Published in Molise Recipes

This is a great dish from the province of Campobasso. Cavatelli or 'cavatiell' in Molisan dialect is a traditional pasta from the region which has spread to other parts of south Italy, notably Puglia. It is a pasta made from a mix of flour, water and potatoes which is then rolled in such a way as to have a space or 'cava' in one side. ingredients 800gr of ripe pumpkin (only purchase from the hills around Ferrazzano near Vinchiaturo), 1kg of wholegrain flour, 200gr potatoes, 1 egg, 50gr grated cheese, nutmeg, salt. For the sauce use a tomato ragu with…

Last modified on 31 October 2012

The Tratturi in Molise

Published in Molise Itineraries

The tratturi are the ancient grass tracks along which the shepherds used to drive their flocks in autumn down from the mountains towards warmer grazing lands. In many places they are around 111 metres wide and form a sort of natural motorway wich crosses the landscape without spoiling it. The province of Isernia contains four tratturi: Pescasseroli-Candela (via Isernia). Castel di Sangro-Lucera (via Pescolanciano). Celano-Foggia (via Pietrabbondante e Staffoli). Atleta-Biferno (via Sant'Angelo del Pescopennataro).

Last modified on 22 March 2012