The experience
Isernia among history, churches and ancient traditions.
Molise’s beating heart is its strong religious tradition, which can be traced in myriad town and country churches. A tradition that stands and merges with a powerful historical past that, thanks to the presence of the Samnite and Roman peoples, bequeath us customs, traditions and places deeply rooted in paganism. Our tour will be an opportunity to discover the origins of Molisian culture, a mystical culture hinged on History and Traditions that are lost in the mists of time.
A journey through time. Let’s start off on the right foot with steaming coffee! And then, let yourself be guided to discover the eras that have followed with an exciting urban hiking trail that will take in the wonders of the place. From the Paleolithic Museum to the underground city. We will relax with an experiential Mindufl Eating journey to learn about and appreciate local delicacies. We will end our day with dinner at a typical Molise tavern.
Sacred Places. We will leave for Castelpetroso, to visit the site of the Apparitions. Savor the peace and mysticism that reign supreme at the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows, a pilgrimage destination of our Molise ancestors. Today a prestigious location for both Italian and foreign Catholic weddings. We will continue our journey to picturesque Santa Maria del Molise. In close contact with nature, we will have lunch in an oasis of greenery, surrounded by small waterfalls and rivulets of the purest water. We will lie in the sun to savor the beauty of relaxation and tranquility. We will move to nearby Sant’Angelo in Grotte and visit mostly inaccessible places. Places where paganism and Christianity merge, in a hymn of art and beauty that pays homage to an absolute God.
The Molise of Traditions. After a morning dedicated to you, we will meet at a wine shop in downtown Isernia to taste a selection of the best wines from Molise, accompanied by a tasty charcuterie and cheese board. We will weave the Thread of Memory into a private tour where you can touch the robes and accessories seen in family photographs. Ornaments, jewelry, lace and lace that made our grandmothers the most beautiful women in the world.
Shortly
Tour
Isernia
Its origin dates as far back as Paleolithic times, making Isernia one of the oldest cities in Europe. First a flourishing Samnite center, the town was settled by the Romans, who scattered traces of their rule over the entire core. First and foremost is the Roman aqueduct: a prodigy of hydraulic engineering, hidden underground in Isernia, that has been working nonstop for a good 2,000 years. Frequented over the centuries by various peoples, Isernia heroically distinguished itself during World War II. During this tragic period in history, the town lost one-third of its inhabitants under bombing and saw numerous valuable sites destroyed. Over time, however, the Samnite temperament of the people of Isernia allowed them to rise again, and today we can enjoy numerous traces and evidences of an impressive historical heritage, as wide and diverse as the entire life of Man on Earth.
Good morning!
What better way to start the day than with a typical steaming coffee? Meet our local guide who will accompany you the entire way, and while comfortably seated at a table in one of the town’s historic bars, we will explain all the details of the upcoming tour. Ready to go?
Urban Trekking_Part I
The tour starts with a guided tour of the National Paleolithic Museum in Isernia. A pavilion of over 800sqm displaying archaeological discoveries from the nearby site “La Pineta,” through a tour that chronicles the most important stages of human evolution, from the Paleolithic to the Metal Age. The centerpiece of the tour is a focus on the oldest human find in Italy: a small milk tooth belonging to a child about 5-6 years old and dated to 586,000 years from the present.
Light Lunch: a path to wellness
Molise’s culinary tradition is an explosion of flavors and variety of foods such as fresh pasta, meats, cheeses, vegetables and the ever-present cured meats. In a fine restaurant in the historic center, our light lunch will feature an experiential “Mindful Eating” journey-a way to appreciate local products while combining mindfulness and taste that will allow you to connect more deeply with local food and the traditions that accompany it.
Urban Trekking_Part II
Resuming the path through the alleys of the historic center, our trek will take us to discover hidden corners: Roman statues, Samnite relics, until we reach the majestic Cathedral, which opens the doors to a private tour in the so-called “Underground Isernia.” A maze of alleys and tunnels that runs through the entire old town.
Typical Dinner
Returning from the walk, some relaxation is essential! We will meet together at a typical downtown tavern to enjoy traditional dishes and then…some well-deserved rest. An exciting new day awaits us.
Castelpetroso - Santa Maria del Molise - Sant'Angelo in Grotte
A new day dawns and your mini-van is waiting for you to set off on a new adventure that will take you into the heart of the Molise hinterland, discovering some of the most exclusive and impressive sacred sites in the area. To make the most of your experience, we have selected our favorite places within walking distance of the town of Isernia.
Castelpetroso
About 15 minutes away, the first stop on our itinerary is a mystical place nestled between mountains and greenery-an oasis of peace. The Minor Basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows soars in the Neo-Gothic style as a testimony and devotion to the apparitions that allegedly took place in 1888, to two local peasant women. Built entirely by the local community, the shrine has always been a destination for religious pilgrimages by any resident of Molise. Over time it has been and continues to be the ideal location for Catholic weddings, now for brides and grooms from Italy and beyond. The more beautiful and refined ones inside the church, the more intimate and intimate ones celebrated on the outdoor altar at the top of the mountain path where the apparitions took place.
St. Mary of Molise
A few minutes of travel time and here we are in Santa Maria del Molise. A town rich in water sources, it is an ideal place to enjoy a nature walk. Upon arrival, a picnic at a beautiful location will allow you to enjoy an outdoor lunch and lie in the sun in the middle of the meadow. Relax in the company of your loved ones to the sound of running water gushing from a small waterfall surrounded by greenery.
Sant’Angelo in Grotte
Already visible from below, Sant’Angelo in Grotte soars perched on the top of a mountain, nestled between verdant pine trees alternating with craggy rocks. It is only a few minutes away, and getting there is an up and down between mountain roads. Once you get there, you will see how sant Angelo in Grotte is a very small village in Molise, with just under 200 inhabitants, but it is the keeper of incredible treasures and ancient legends. We will stroll through the alleys of the ancient village while enjoying wonderful views of the surrounding valleys. With a local guide, you will visit the cave, home to ancient legends about angels and demons. We will accompany you to a place not usually visited: the Crypt of the Works of Mercy. An underground crypt accessible from the mother church, in which the rough stonework is expertly softened by striking and distinctive frescoes dated to the 1300s.
Our tour ends in the late afternoon (6:30 pm) with a return to Isernia. Why not indulge in an aperitif downtown?
Isernia
Your last day in Molise opens with a free morning that will allow you to lose yourself in the downtown streets to do some shopping. Taste typical confectionery products at the town’s many bakeries, enjoy a stroll through local stores, roasteries, and artisan chocolate stores.
Wine bar aperitif
We meet at cocktail hour to enjoy a glass of local wine with a charcuterie and cheese board at one of the many local wine shops. With the support of experts, you can taste a selection of local wines and chat about Molise winemaking techniques and the rapid growth of the local wine industry.
The Thread of Memory
Our tour continues with an emotional experience that will allow you to discover the culture hidden behind clothes, jewelry and accessories expertly created by the skilled hands of Molisian women and artisans. Clothes and accessories passed down from generation to generation, often specially and carefully made for grandchildren and great-grandchildren as gifts and family mementos.
Be inspired by expert local guides among private collections and rediscover the ancient textiles, lace, and lace that accompanied your ancestors on their journey across the border. Explore the fashions of the past and relive the moments immortalized in Family Stories. Savor the sounds again, enjoy the legends, and see for yourself the beauty of simplicity.
Our journey will end here-don’t miss this opportunity. Go back in time. Experience the Molise of your ancestors!
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