Cercemaggiore between the medieval town center and pilgrimage route

Cercemaggiore extends in a fan shape along the slope of Monte S. Maria and overlooks the expansive valley of Alto Tammaro. This location combines a striking landscape perspective with a historic town center: the historic center preserves part of its original medieval urban structure. If you appreciate Italian towns with history, sacred art and a distinctive landscape, Cercemaggiore offers several different ways to explore it.

Historical traces in the town and on the mountain

On the western side of Cercemaggiore, the Porta dei Rocchi can be seen as a preserved town gate. Il Castello o Palazzo Marchesale is also part of the town’s history; it was built during the Norman period, around the second half of the 11th century. Monte Saraceno has a double fortified complex from Samnite times, protected by an archaeological preservation order dated June 30, 1978. Excavations uncovered two main gates there, located along an ancient route that runs across the mountain from west to east.

Churches with art and religious history

The Parrocchia S. Maria della Croce was founded around the 12th century. Its Latin-cross floor plan dates from 1582; the church also preserves frescoes from the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The remains of San Vincenzo Martire are kept there in a metal urn. The Chiesa di Santa Maria a Monte was founded around the middle of the 13th century and retains a late Romanesque character, with an elaborately crafted portal. Its furnishings also include an 18th-century marble sculpture of the Assumption of Mary. The Chiesa di S. Rocco contains a wooden sculpture of the Immacolata by Paolo Saverio Di Zinno, created around 1766.

Pilgrimage and festivals

Cercemaggiore’s religious character is also reflected in the history of the Madonna della Libera. In 1412, a farmer found the statue; the Dominicans subsequently built the sanctuary. The festival of the Madonna della Libera in C. Da Convento includes a holy mass, a procession, a fair, a market, local food stalls and concerts. The festival is celebrated on July 1 and 2. The program of the patron saint’s festival, Festa di San Vincenzo Martire, includes a holy mass, a procession through the town center, a commemorative ceremony, a fair, a market and concerts.

Hiking the Cammino dell’Acqua

For hikers, the Cammino dell’Acqua connects two religious destinations: the approximately 60-kilometer route begins at the Basilica Minore dell’Addolorata in Castelpetroso and ends at the Santuario di Santa Maria della Libera in Cercemaggiore. The final stage from Cercepiccola to Cercemaggiore is 4.30 kilometers long, takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes, and is rated difficulty level E for hikes. After a final ascent of approximately 1.5 kilometers, it leads to the gates of the Santuario di Santa Maria della Libera. The Cammino dell’Acqua can be hiked in any season and in both directions.

More places for planning your trip to Italy

More destinations to discover as you plan your trip: San Massimo, Montorio nei Frentani, Larino, San Biase, Ururi, Vinchiaturo, Campomarino and Pietracatella.

For the higher-level travel overview: Campobasso.