THE NIGHT OF FIRE - THE 'NDOCCIATA OF AGNONE 2022
DAY 1 – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9 – ISERNIA
Arrive in Isernia and check into the hotel.
Visit to the National Paleolithic Museum, which represents the oldest human encampment
in Europe, a must-see destination for those who want to discover the stages of human evolution, through the
prehistoric tools and behaviors. You will go in search of the countless artifacts that
have fostered knowledge of the habits of daily life, as well as the organization of the
encampments in which lived the first communities of humans, who arrived in present-day Europe about 700,000
years ago.
It continues with a tour of the historic center of Isernia, which guards, despite the devastating
bombing of Sept. 10, 1943, the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, which stands on a
pagan temple from the 3rd century B.C. and which over the centuries has undergone several modifications and
embellishments, up to that of the 1700s with the precious marbles commissioned by Bishop Michelangelo La Peruta
together with a valuable majolica floor. Leaning against the facade of the cathedral is the
beautiful Arch of St. Peter, an ancient bell tower. Visit the Cathedral and its excavations.
Walking up the streets of the historic center, we arrive at Piazza Celestino V, known as Piazza
Conception, where there is the magnificent and mysterious Fraterna Fountain whose origin and
certainty neither its origin nor its original location. The afternoon concludes with a
stroll through the charming and characteristic Borgo del Merletto.
Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 2 – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10 – PIETRABBONDANTE / VASTOGIRARDI / AGNONE
Breakfast at the hotel and departure by Grand Tour Bus for Pietrabbondante, a town in upper Molise, at an
1,027 meters above sea level, is nestled between three huge boulders called "morge" at the foot of Mt.
Saracen. Guided tour of the marvelous Italic Temple Theater of Pietrabbonante. The same
preserves the most important archaeological evidence of Samnite religiosity in ancient Molise
ancient. The site, surrounded by unspoiled nature, immediately amazes with the uniqueness and
importance of the archaeological remains of the temple and theater dating from the end of the 2nd century BC.
The whole village is of particular beauty. From the church dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta one can enjoy
a magical and spectacular panorama consisting of mountains, forests and valleys. We will then proceed to
Vastogirardi, a small village in Alto Molise located at 1,200 meters. The village is located in a context
landscape and environment rich in natural resources, species of flora and fauna of great beauty, as well as
boasting an artistic and historical cultural heritage of great interest. It will be visited, among other things, the
Church of St. Nicholas of Bari.
Lunch in a typical trattoria to experience the flavors.
At the end, transfer to Agnone, an ancient Samnite town and home to what is presumed to be the oldest
ancient factory in the world for the manufacture of bells. We will, in fact, take a guided tour
guided tour of the Marinelli Foundry and its museum. As the sun goes down, we will witness the wonderful
spectacle of the ‘Ndocciata. As the bells toll, we will admire hundreds of bearers
light the ‘ndocce and set out along the course of Agnone, which suddenly becomes an
exciting river of fire. Those who have been lucky enough to witness this spectacular as well as
evocative procession of flames and sparks, tells of a long, interminable emotion little
describable if not experienced live. At the end return to the hotel dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 3 – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 – VENAFRO
Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Venafro. Meeting with the guide and visit to the Pandone Castle,
built on an original Samnite masonry that later became a fortification
Roman. In 1498 it became a stately residence thanks to Count Enrico Pandone, who succeeded his
father Francesco. Still visible inside the castle are the light relief depictions of the
horses from the count’s stable whose age, breed, name, coat color
and the symbol of the H, i.e., the Henricus stable. At the end of the tour you will walk through the streets
of the historic center, again accompanied by the guide, stopping at the Winterline Museum. Finally,
visit to the Archaeological Museum, which houses artifacts ranging from prehistoric to
Middle Ages from the territory of ancient Venafrum. which preserves very important
evidence of the Second World War.
Lunch at a typical restaurant.
Return to own locations.
