Rionero Sannitico, Province Isernia, Molise, Italy

The center rose on the ancient tratturo connecting Castel di Sangro and Lucera, where the monastery of San Vincenzo al Volturno established a colony of farmers before the year 1000. The name was probably derived from the small stram called "Rio" that flows into the Volturno. In 1863 the word "Sannitico" was added to distinguish it from "Rionero in Vultore" (Basilicata region). The first feudal lords when the Benedictine Abbey went into decadence were the Carafa in the 14th century, then it became a possession of the Di Sangro family, to pass again later to the Carafa. Following the crisis of the pastoral economy, there was a massive emigration from Rionero, first towards Argentina, then in the 1920's to the USA ad Canada, and after WW2 to Europe, especially Switzerland, Rome and Northern Italy.