San Pietro Infine: History, Ruins and Trails on Monte Sambucaro

Ruins and Ancient Trails

The Parco della Memoria Storica occupies the area of the original town centre of San Pietro Infine on the slopes of Monte Sambucaro. The ruins of San Pietro Infine form a kind of open-air museum and were recognised as a national monument by a decree dated 18 March 2008. The ancient Via Latina ran through the valley of San Pietro Infine.

Landscape and Hiking Trails

The park's landscape trail follows the valley west of the town to the Grotte della Valle and then continues along a stepped footpath towards the Fontana and Cappella Maria Santissima dell'Acqua. The Grotte della Valle are natural cavities in the western Vallone and served as a refuge for the local population during the bombings of 1943. A CAI hike to Monte Sambucaro begins in San Pietro Infine.

Churches, Festivals and Local Landmarks

The Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo is the town's most important architectural testimony and has always been considered a symbol of San Pietro Infine. Restoration work was carried out on the church in 2016. It can be reached on foot from the park's visitor centre. The Chiesa di San Sebastiano dates from 1501 and served as a film location in 1959 for a scene in Mario Monicelli's film „La Grande Guerra“.

Maria Santissima dell'Acqua is the patron saint of San Pietro Infine; the feast is held on 13 September. The feast of Saint Anthony is held in San Pietro Infine on 13 June. The Arco dei Baroni was formerly the gateway to the fortified centre of San Pietro Infine. The Croce in ferro stands at the entrance to the old town centre of San Pietro Infine, on the valley side of the Strada Provinciale Annunziata Lunga, and lies on the axis of Via San Nicola, the lane leading from the provincial road to the old town centre. The chapel of San Cataldo near the Taverna San Cataldo on the road to Naples was intended for travellers and hikers.

Museo della Memoria and Local Crafts

The Museo della Memoria in San Pietro Infine is housed in a restored former oil mill. A visit to the Museo della Memoria includes seven scenographic installations. The museum tour ends with a screening of an excerpt from the film „The Battle of San Pietro“. The remains of the medieval chapel of Sant'Eustachio lie at an altitude of 574 metres on the southern slope of Monte Sambucaro. The polygonal fortification walls of Sant'Eustachio bear witness to an ancient defensive system.

The traditional craft of processing Ampelodesma, locally called „stramma“, which is now in steep decline, produced household items such as brooms; today, only a few older people still make such items.

Getting There

From Rome or Naples, travel via the A1 motorway to the San Vittore del Lazio exit, then continue towards Venafro–Isernia.

More Destinations for Planning Your Trip

Baia Domizia, San Felice A Cancello, Mignano Monte Lungo, Roccamonfina, Pastorano, Sant'Angelo d'Alife, Dragoni and Casapulla

For the higher-level travel overview: Caserta.