Vastogirardi: Medieval Heritage, Mountains and Local Festivals

Vastogirardi between Village History and Mountain Landscapes

Vastogirardi combines a historic village with mountain landscapes and traces of a long past. Mighty walls surround the old town center; narrow, winding streets and old buildings reveal its medieval past. Despite several renovations over the centuries, the medieval castle retains the original layout of the medieval complex.

The mother church of San Nicola di Bari is part of the circular layout of the castle complex. The castle’s watchtower also served as the bell tower of the parish church.

Ancient Traces around the Town Center

The Italic Temple is located a few hundred meters from Vastogirardi’s historic center, near one of the three most important springs fed by the Monte Capraro above. In addition to the temple, worked column fragments, architraves and other blocks have been dated to the second half of the 2nd century BC.

Hiking Trails and Monte Pizzi

The Celano–Foggia transhumance route enters the Vastogirardi area on the southwestern side and runs at the foot of Monte Pizzi. The route is suitable for hikes, horseback rides and bike tours. The 1,373 m-high Monte Pizzi massif also attracts visitors who climb its gullies with local experts. For planning your day, hiking, horseback rides and bike tours are available alongside climbing the gullies.

Forest, Protected Area and Visitor Centers

The Montedimezzo Nature Reserve covers 291 hectares in the Villa San Michele/Vastogirardi area. In the forest of Contrada San Nicola stands “Re Fajone”, also known as “il Faggione”, a beech tree approximately 500 years old.

Access to the visitor centers, museum areas, trail networks and the CRAS, the Centro Recupero Animali Selvatici di Montedimezzo, is free of charge after registering in advance with the local visitor centers. Access is limited to the days and times indicated in the published calendars. The respective calendars and registration are therefore decisive for your planning.

Summer Festivals

The Volo dell’Angelo is part of the celebrations for Madonna delle Grazie and takes place on the first two days of July. The first documented performance in Vastogirardi took place on July 2, 1911. In August, the annual “Cazzariéglie e Fasciuóle” festival follows: it takes place on the last Saturday of the month at dusk in the medieval village of Vastogirardi.

Another gastronomic event is “Caciocavallo e dintorni” in Cerreto. Held in August, the event offers tastings of dairy products from Vastogirardi’s cheese dairies.

Travel Planning Orientation

The Sulmona–Isernia railway line has stops in the hamlets of Cerreto and Villa San Michele in Vastogirardi.

Other Places in the Area

For further orientation, you can also visit Civitanova del Sannio, Macchiagodena, Rocchetta Alta, Bagnoli Del Trigno, Conca Casale, Pescopennataro, Capracotta and Roccasicura.

For the broader travel overview: Isernia.