EUROPEAN CARNIVAL OF ZOOMORPHIC MASKS
traditions / history / food and wine
(two days / one night)
DAY 1 – SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2023 – ISERNIA – VENAFRO
Arrival at Isernia and transfer to Venafro for a guided tour of the Castello Pandone. The Castle was built on an original Samnite masonry, and 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.
Lunch in a typical restaurant and check-in at the hotel.
In the afternoon, transfer to Isernia to watch the unique parade with the numerous groups participating in the European Carnival of Zoomorphic Masks. The large masked parade, with performances of traditional rituals, will take place in the streets and squares of the city. Various other initiatives will take place during the event, including the preparation and tasting of typical carnival dishes from Molise, in cooperation with the Accademia Italiana della Cucina.
Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 2 – SATURDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2023 – ISERNIA
Breakfast at the hotel and visit to the Museo Nazionale del Paleolitic, 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 700,000 years ago, lived were organized.
In the late morning, we will see the pantomime of the Molise Zoomorphic Masks.
Lunch in a typical restaurant.
After lunch, we will visit Isernia’s historical centre, which, despite the devastating bombing of 10 September 1943, preserves the Cattedrale di San Pietro Apostolo, 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.
End of the trip and return home.
INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION FEE FROM € 149.00
THE FEE INCLUDES:
|
PERIOD: FEBRUARY / CARNIVAL
