Agnone: Bell-Making History, Old Town and Craftsmanship

Agnone combines bell-making history, churches, craftsmanship and a historic townscape. In the Quartiere Veneziano, narrow lanes lead to small squares; keystones and stone portals bear witness to the history of the respective buildings and their era. This makes the town a good choice if, on a trip to Italy, you want to combine culture, exploration on foot and insights into local production.

Churches, Library and Historical Orientation

The Chiesa di San Marco Evangelista is open during the day and can be visited free of charge. The Chiesa di San Francesco was founded in 1343 and has been a national monument since 1926. The Palazzo San Francesco houses the Biblioteche Riunite Comunale e B. Labanca. For guided access to the historic centre, the tour “Quattro passi nel centro storico” is available; it is intended to help visitors discover Agnone’s art-historical attractions.

Bells, Bronze and Old Books

The Museo Storico della Campana Giovanni Paolo II displays a collection of sacred bronzes described as the world’s largest, including a bell from the year 1000. The tour includes a film about the artistic design, the construction of the model, the bell casting and the testing of a bell. It also takes visitors through the museum and the foundry’s production areas. There, visitors can hear the sound of the bells with a technical expert and bell founder. Tours can be booked by telephone, email or through the online advance-sales service.

Collections with a Distinctive Character

The Museo Civico in Agnone displays a cast of the Tavola Osca. The original bronze inscription was found in Agnone and dates from the 3rd century BC. The Mostra del Libro Antico comprises more than 1,400 volumes produced between 1512 and 1830 in important European printing houses. The Museo Storico del Rame Francesco Gerbasi presents the various stages of copper processing as well as numerous objects from different periods. The Museo della 'ndoccia presents examples of 'ndocce, figures in traditional clothing, photographs of their production and an annual trophy won by one of Agnone’s five Contrade.

Exploring the Quartiere Veneziano on Foot

The Quartiere Veneziano in the historic centre can be explored on foot through narrow lanes that open onto small squares. The keystones and stone portals make the history of the respective buildings and their era visible in the streetscape.

Experience Caciocavallo and Craftsmanship

Caciocavallo di Agnone is made from cow’s milk, shaped into a typical pear shape and aged for between three months and one year. Numerous dairy processors in Agnone offer tours of dairies and ageing cellars by prior reservation. Tours can also be booked at Agnone’s pastry shops and confectionery businesses.

The Verrino and Its Protected Area

The Verrino is a stream that carries substantial amounts of water at times and flows through Agnone, among other places. Excursions can be taken along its banks. The area in question is designated as a Natura 2000 special protection area under code IT7222127F.

When planning your accommodation in Agnone, you can define your personal focus: depending on your interests, the bell museum, historic lanes, craft museums or culinary tours may take centre stage. This allows you to match your choice of hotel with your own daily rhythm and the discoveries you wish to make.

More places: Incoronata, Roccasicura, Carovilli, Forlì Del Sannio, Macchia d'Isernia, Frosolone, Sant'Agapito, Colli A Volturno

To the higher-level travel overview: Isernia.