Civitanova del Sannio: Churches, Monastery Ruins and Mountain Trails

Civitanova del Sannio can be explored through two clearly distinct aspects: historic religious buildings and trails leading into the mountain landscape. The Chiesa di San Silvestro, the Monastero di San Benedetto and several chapels are just as central to the experience as circular hikes, the view over the valley at Macchia Tonda and a 43-kilometre cycling route.

Churches and Monastic Traces

The Chiesa di San Silvestro was built in the 11th century and consecrated in 1569. It features architectural elements from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The Monastero di San Benedetto was established around the year 1000 and housed monks for approximately 400 years.

The earthquake of 1456 destroyed the Monastero di San Benedetto; only the bell tower and the outlines of what was probably an early Christian church remain. Near the Trigno River, a path leads to the settlement of Santa Brigida, with the ruins of the Monastero di San Benedetto.

The chapel of San Rocco was built through donations from local residents in gratitude for surviving the plague of 1656. After the roof had been completely reconstructed and the furnishings renewed, the Cappella di San Rocco was reopened for worship on 31 August 1973.

Madonna del Carmelo was rebuilt from the ground up and decorated with stucco on its walls and vaults. The statue of Madonna del Carmelo is a valuable work by Amalia Dupré of Florence. A monumental Stations of the Cross complex is located in a pedestrian zone protected from traffic; it is surrounded by flower beds and two basins that together form a fountain.

Hiking, Views and Cycling Routes

A circular hike of approximately 7 kilometres runs mainly through beech forests in the S.I.C. Montagnola Molisana. A circular hike to Montagnola begins near the forest refuge of Civitanova del Sannio at an altitude of 1,190 metres.

The Sentiero Piergiorgio Frassati begins at the Fonte della Castagna bridge on the old connecting road between Civitanova and Sessano del Molise. It reaches Macchia Tonda at an altitude of 1,090 metres, a sparsely vegetated landscape with a wide view over the valley.

Cycling Route No. 1 runs from Civitanova via S. Andrea, Chiauci and Pescolanciano, then via S. Andrea back to Civitanova, and is 43 kilometres long in total. For excursions into nature, the municipality of Civitanova del Sannio has several mountain bikes, including bikes for tours to Montagnola and other distinctive places within the municipal area.

For your planning, this means a variety of route lengths and landscapes: beech forest, mountain trails, sparsely vegetated highlands and a longer cycling loop. Together with the churches, chapels and traces of the Monastero di San Benedetto, this creates a destination that combines cultural and natural attractions in clearly distinct ideas for day trips.

Discover More Places

More destinations for planning your trip to Italy: Filignano, Pescopennataro, Castelpetroso, Santa Maria del Molise, Frosolone, Roccasicura, Macchia d'Isernia, Pietrabbondante.

For the higher-level travel overview: Isernia.