Rionero Sannitico between the Apennines, churches and historic routes

Rionero Sannitico in Molise combines mountainous landscapes with sacred art and historic routes. Those who want to experience nature and culture side by side on a trip to Italy will find specific points of interest here: high-altitude landscapes, woodland vegetation, churches, a hike and a multi-day cycling route.

Mountains, watercourses and Apennine vegetation

Elevations range from 575 metres above sea level at the Torrente Vandrella on the border with the municipality of Forlì del Sannio to 1,304 metres at Pratelle. The Torrente Rio rises near the centre of Rionero Sannitico and is a tributary of the Volturno. The Torrente Vandrella is also known as “La Vandra”; it rises on the border with Abruzzo, is a mountain stream and is fed by numerous springs along its course.

The vegetation of the municipal area is typical of the Molise Apennines. Coppice woodlands of Turkey oak predominate, either as pure stands or mixed with downy oak and hop hornbeam.

Religious buildings and local history

The ruins of the Palazzo Ducale have been preserved in Rionero Sannitico. The Carafa dukes built it in the 17th century for military purposes. The Chiesa di San Bartolomeo Apostolo is a historically and culturally significant religious building with a distinctive limestone façade and an interior richly decorated in the Baroque style. It also features three naves separated by round-arched arcades and a single apse, as well as paintings and marble altars attributed to local artists of the 17th and 18th centuries.

The original Santuario di San Mariano was built in 1600 and restored in 1926 by Italian emigrants from Cleveland. Plaster statues from the 19th century are venerated in the sanctuary; the relics of the two martyrs are kept in a reliquary bearing the coat of arms of the Carafa della Spina family. Beside the sanctuary is a grotto that presumably served as a refuge for the two holy Roman soldiers who converted to Christianity.

The Chiesa di San Lorenzo Martire in Rionero Sannitico is a subsidiary church dedicated to Saint Lawrence; its entrance is located in Montalto (IS). The Chiesa della Madonna del Rosario is a historic religious building dedicated to Madonna del Rosario and of great importance to the local community. On 30 April, the statues of the two saints are carried in procession from the Santuario di San Mariano to commemorate their martyrdom.

Hiking, historic routes and cycling stages

A hike in Rionero Sannitico leads through the historic town centre and into the unspoilt nature of the Volturno Valley. It is classified as difficulty level T for tourist hikes and follows cart tracks, mule tracks and unpaved sections. Narrow lanes, old fountains and atmospheric chapels line the route; it is suitable for hikers of all experience levels.

The hiking route reaches the Tratturo Pescasseroli-Candela and follows it for part of the way. This historic transhumance route crossed the Apennines from north to south. A four-stage cycling tour is completed over four days and runs from Avezzano in the province of L’Aquila for 143 kilometres to a stage in Rionero Sannitico in Molise. On this cycling route, the climb to the Valico del Macerone begins in Rionero.

Regional orientation

In the Rionero Sannitico area, the SS 652 “Fondovalle Sangro” provides access towards Abruzzo, including the national park and the ski resorts of Roccaraso, or towards Campania.

More destinations for planning your trip

Pagliaia di Cerro, Carovilli, Pescopennataro, Roccaravindola, Sant'Agapito, Agnone, Civitanova del Sannio and Frosolone

For the higher-level travel overview: Isernia.