Isernia

Situated on a rocky crest rising from 350 mt to 475 between the Carpino and the Sorsi rivers, Isernia still reflects with its road plan the ancient structure of the Roman town, with a central wide street and side streets on both sides. It is now the Capital city of the province of Isernia, and a flourishing center of pasta makers, stone work, embroidery crafts. The name of the town come from the italic root "aiser" meaning "god".

HISTORY: Aesernia was the capital of the Samnites, and in 263 Rome established a colony here, a key communication center between Southern Italy and the inner Appennine Regions. During the social wars against Rome, the Italic League established here their capital after abandoning Corfinio. It was a Roman "municipium" and its inhabitants enjoyed Roman citizenship. In 800 it was destroyed by the Saracens, then sacked in 1199 by Marcovaldo, Count of Molise, then set on fire in 1223 by the soldiers of Frederick II. In 1519 it was freed from the feudal servitude by king Charles V and became a free city. Massive destruction was caused by earthquakes in 847, 1349, 1456 and 1805. During the second world war, in September 1943 air bombings destroyed over half city, killing one third of the population.

WHAT TO SEE

Fontana Fraterna, built in the 14th century wit fragments from Roman monuments.

Church of Santa Chiara, rebuilt in 1885, with an original belltower of the 17th century, with a peculiar masonry motive in bricks.

Cathedral of San Pietro, in the beautiful Piazza Andrea d'Isernia, which enjoys a fine view on the Sandro Valley and the Mainarde. The Cathedral was originally built on the site of a Pagan temple, then destroyed by the 1805 earthquake and rebuilt after that in the neoclassical style. The inside is decorated with frescoes by Andrea Trivisonno from Campobasso, and contains a painting of Madonna Via Lucis, transported here by refugees from Rodi in the 16th century. Left of the church there is a massive belltower, built on the remains of a Roman forum, with four Roman statues at the corners.

Majestic Walls, right of the Cathedral, with big square stones, originally an Italic temple of the 3rd century B.C.

Church of San Francesco, with a portal dated 1267, hosts a fine marble altar.

Stone Memorial, near the townhall, for the victims of the air bombing of 10 september 1943.

Museo Comunale, with many pieces from Roman period.

The "Terme", about 4 km outside of the city, spas of sulphurous waters.

The Sanctuary of St. Cosma and Damiano, 1km outside the city, a destination for pilgrims on 26 and 27 September.

EVENTS

End of December and beginning of January: Le "Maitinate"

June 28-29: Onion Festival

MESSAGES ABOUT THE PLACE

Nani

Bottiglieri

Giulianelli from Rccapipirozzi

Lombardi, Iannacito from Isernia area

Altopiedi, Latina or Lettina