Civitanova del Sannio

Civil and religious celebrations, cultural and recreational activites, sports, fairs, festivals, food products are all good reasons to appreciate this beautiful land. Located at 650 m. above sea level, between the river Trigno and the Montagnola (1421 m), Civitanova is 25 km away from Isernia. It currently has about 1,000 inhabitants.

Civitanova is one of the few examples of  "city of foundation" in Molise; it is, in fact, a "new city", founded on a site other than its oldest core, today an archaeological area called "La Civita", where ruins of an important Samnite fence can be found. The new city was built in the Middle Ages in a less exposed but equally safe position, where artificial works are not needed. Attributable to this period is the urban layout of the "Colle" (Hill), perched on a limestone protrusion with a winding road that defines the perimeter.

At the center of the town and at the highest point stands the Church of St. Sylvester Pope. Restored several times it develops three naves; the central nave is covered with a fine coffered ceiling in 1668, by Alessandro De Mascio, that was recently restored to its original beauty and splendor thanks to the intervention of the Superintendency of Fine Arts of the Molise region. The Church has paintings of local artists: Giovanni Fiorante (XVIII) and Pasquale De Curtis (XIX-XX), the frescoes by Vincenzo Colecchia (1911) and a beautiful sculpture of Siena artist Amalia Duprè.

To be noted also the remains of the so-called "Monastery of St. Benedict di Bagnolo" or "St. Brigid", which recalls the Count Berardo and his wife Gemma of Isernia who make it bigger in the eleventh century. The monastery Is destroyed by an earthquake in December 1456 with the exception of the tower. The remains can be seen near the river Trigno, where a tree-lined path leads in Santa Brigida.

It is possible to see mostly the remains of one bell tower. "De Jumento Albo" (White Horse) was the name of the road that passed near the monastery from 1184 and is the only name to recognize the Abbey of St. Benedict from others of the same name.

For more information or to get details about the history of Civitanova del Sannio please visit the following links (in Italian):

What to see and do nearby

  • Pietrabbondante: Teatro Sannitico
  • Pescolanciano: Castello D’Alessandro e Antica Fabbrica di ceramiche – Riserva MAB di Collemeluccio
  • Agnone: Bell Foundry and Museum
  • Frosolone: Museo dei Ferri Taglienti – Parco eolico
  • Roccavivara: Santuario di S.M. del Canneto e resti archeologici
  • Castel San Vincenzo: Abbazia Benedettina – Monastero e scavi archeologici