EUROPEAN CARNIVAL OF ZOOMORPHIC MASKS
traditions / history / food and wine
(four days/three nights)
DAY 1 – THURSDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2023 – ISERNIA – VENAFRO
Arrival in Isernia and check-in at the hotel. Lunch in a typical restaurant.
In the afternoon, meeting with the guide and transfer to Venafro for a guided tour of the Castello Pandone. The castle was built on an original Samnite masonry that 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.
Transfer to Isernia to attend the presentation of short films and books about the masks participating in the European Carnival of Zoomorphic Masks.
Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 2 – FRIDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2023 – PIETRABBONDANTE – CAMPOBASSO
Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Pietrabbondante, a town in upper Molise, at 1,027 above the sea level, nestled between three enormous boulders known as ‘morge’ at the foot of Monte Caraceno. Visit to the marvellous Teatro Tempio Italico in Pietrabbondante. It preserves the most important archaeological evidence of Samnite religiosity in ancient Molise. The site, surrounded by unspoilt nature, immediately amazes with the uniqueness and importance of the archaeological remains of the temple and theatre, dating back to the late 2nd century BC. The entire village is particularly beautiful. From the Santa Maria Assunta Church, you can enjoy a magical and spectacular view of the mountains, forests and valleys.
Lunch in a typical restaurant.
Departure for Campobasso and guided tour of the historic centre. This will be followed by a conference on the anthropological significance of the various masks participating in the Festival, and their presentation.
Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 3 – SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2023 – ISERNIA
Breakfast at the hotel and visit to the National Palaeolithic Museum, 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.
The visit of the Museum will be followed by a tour of 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.
Lunch in a typical restaurant.
At last, the unique parade of the numerous groups participating in the European Carnival of Zoomorphic Masks will take place. The large masked parade, with performances of traditional rituals, will take place in the streets and squares of the city.
Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 4 – SATURDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2023 – ISERNIA
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the historic centre of Isernia to watch the pantomime of the Molise Zoomorphic Masks.
End of the trip and return home.
INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION FEE FROM € 349.00
THE FEE INCLUDES:
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PERIOD: FEBRUARY / CARNIVAL
