Carovilli between Monte Ferrante, forest and historic trails

Carovilli between Monte Ferrante and the plateau

Carovilli lies on the slopes of Monte Ferrante and opens onto a surrounding plateau enclosed by high, rocky peaks. The Monte Ferrante SIC area connects the river valleys of the Trigno, Sangro and Volturno-Vandra.

Forest landscape and wildlife

The Selva di Castiglione Oasi preserves a forest of Turkey oaks and silver firs. It is considered a woodland inhabited by deer, foxes, wild boars and wolves.

Churches, castle remains and local history

The church on the hill in Castiglione is also known as Chiesa Ammond and is dated to the 14th century. The remains of the castle of Castiglione di Carovilli lie on a ridge in the upper Trigno Valley near Vallone Pantano. In the church of Santa Maria Assunta, a baptismal font bears the year 1622. The church also contains a holy water font from the 16th century, created by workshops from Molise; its basin features a raised detail of a snake with a feathered tail tip.

The church of Santa Maria Assunta is said to have been built in the first half of the 15th century, while its foundation is attributed to the 10th century. It also preserves the mortal remains of Santo Stefano del Lupo, a Benedictine monk born in Carovilli. San Domenico is also connected with the historic landscape: the church stands along the now-vanished Tratturello that linked the Tratturi Castel di Sangro–Lucera to the south and Celano–Foggia to the north.

Hiking routes and pilgrimage trails

Several routes include Carovilli in their itineraries. The Monte Ferrante route begins at S. Domenico in Carovilli and ends in the historic center of Carovilli; part of the route follows CAI Trail No. 1 Monte Ferrante. The Via di San Francesco includes a 15 km stage from San Pietro Avellana to Carovilli. Another stage is 21 km long and leads from Carovilli to Carpinone, near the church of San Domenico, via the connection to the Tratturo Castel di Sangro–Lucera.

The Cammino del Perdono connects places associated with Pietro da Morrone, later Pope Celestine V.

Festival, cuisine and historic trains

In Carovilli, the Tresca threshing festival is celebrated every year on the penultimate Sunday in August with the help of horses. Local cuisine includes first courses based on mushrooms and truffles. For planning your transportation, it is also important to note that the Ferrovia dei Parchi operates as a charter service with historic trains and is not a public transport train service.

More places for planning your trip

Other places to include in your travel plans are Agnone, Roccaravindola, Pizzone, Macchia d'Isernia, Castel San Vincenzo, Roccamandolfi, Forlì Del Sannio and Sesto Campano.

More about Isernia.