Riccia between Castello, Bosco Mazzocca and Festa dell'Uva

Riccia combines medieval buildings, local folk culture and the extensive Bosco Mazzocca. Castello di Riccia, the churches of Piano della Corte, a museum with historical everyday objects and a forest nature trail give the town a diverse profile.

Castello and churches in the medieval town center

Castello di Riccia is almost twenty meters high, has a cylindrical ground plan and preserves a stone crown of corbels at its summit. The main tower served as a watchtower overlooking the valley.

The Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie is also known as del Beato Stefano. It is an essential part of the architectural complex of Piano della Corte in the medieval town center of Riccia. The church contains burial sites of the de Capua family, including Bartolomeo's central tomb. The façade reflects the design commissioned by Bartolomeo III in 1500 and is influenced by a loosely interpreted Doric order.

The Chiesa dell'Annunziata also preserves a distinctive work of art: it contains an Annunciation painting by an unknown artist. Together with Santa Maria delle Grazie, it offers insight into various facets of Riccia's sacred architecture and art.

Folk culture in the Borgo of Piano della Corte

The Museo delle arti e delle tradizioni popolari is located in the basement of the Magazeno in the medieval Borgo of Piano della Corte. The museum was inaugurated in May 1997 following research and restoration work on more than 400 objects. Its focus is therefore on items that illustrate the craft and agricultural traditions of the local population.

The objects on display include, among other things, the basin “u Paleméne,” carved from local stone for pressing grapes, the wooden funnel “u Muttille,” dating from 1700, and looms from the 19th century.

Bosco Mazzocca: forest, animals and nature trail

Bosco Mazzocca covers approximately 450 hectares and includes Turkey oaks, ash trees, black locusts and boxwood. While walking there, visitors may spot, among other animals, peregrine falcons, wild boars, foxes, badgers and occasional hares. The forest therefore appeals both to travelers interested in woodland landscapes and to visitors who wish to combine time outdoors with nature observation.

Bosco Mazzocca has equipped areas for camping and picnicking with benches, wooden tables and grills. Bosco delle Favole is also a nature trail in the millennia-old Bosco Mazzocca that conveys the legends and games of Riccia's folk tradition to younger generations. Nature and local storytelling come together directly here, without limiting the experience to a single way of exploring.

The Festa dell'Uva in September

A special cultural focal point is the Festa dell'Uva, held in Riccia on the second Sunday in September. The parade features floats made from grapes selected and arranged by color and size. The date and the unusual design of the floats connect viticulture with a visible expression of local festival culture.

More destinations for planning your trip

San Leonardo, Acquaviva Collecroce, San Biase, Matrice, Montagano, Campodipietra, Bojano, Campobasso

To the main travel overview: Campobasso.