The name of the village
The name of the village derives from the Latin 'pesculum,' meaning rock, after the characteristic rock formation that overlooks the village and seems to protect it almost maternally, and 'pinnataro,' meaning pointed, perhaps a reference to the typical shape of the conifers in which the area is rich.
What to see in the village of Pescopennataro
Pescopennataro, with only 200 inhabitants, is a very small village, and exploring its historic center in a single day is entirely feasible.
What to see in the village of Pescopennataro? Undoubtedly, in the historic center, worth seeing is the parish church dedicated to St. Bartholomew. What you can admire is not the original building, devastated by an earthquake in 1400, but its reconstruction in the 16th century. Inside is housed the splendid high altar and a really fine gold-painted wooden ciborium. The church is accessed along a short slope, passing under the so-called 'Porta di sopra,' a beautiful original medieval archway. Of the 'Lower Gate,' however, only rubble remained after the bombings of World War II.
In the town's most modern square is the one-nave Church of Our Lady of Grace, which houses the distinctive statue of St. Margaret of Antioch.
In People's Square you can admire the Fountain of the People, sculpted by architect De Lallo in the 18th century, one of the most famous stonemasons of that century. Also noteworthy is the Belvedere del Guerriero Sannita, which once housed the bronze statue of the warrior and is now instead a vantage point that embraces the valley below.
In addition to churches and beautiful views of the Sangro Valley, Pescopennataro is also home to the 'Chiara Marinelli' Civic Stone Museum. To understand the importance of this cultural place, one must delve into the history of the village: in fact, Pescopennataro, also known as 'The Land of Stone,' is a center famous for its long tradition of sculpture and for the important artistic school of stonemasons that began here as early as the 1700s, codifying a centuries-long history of skill and artistic genius.
The Stone Museum is therefore one of the flagships not only of the village but also of Molise and of Italy as a whole, and houses a rich collection of about 1,600 artifacts, divided into two sections: one dedicated to the evolution of the art of sculpture throughout history, and one instead devoted to the artists and stonemasons who originated in Pescopennataro. Among the best souvenirs to take home after a visit to the village, then, are those that can be purchased in the museum, whose admission costs only €1.00.
Nature trails in Pescopennataro: which ones to discover
Pescopennataro is, as we anticipated, a village immersed in nature, with a very strong bond indeed with its territory, its mountains and its woods.
The surroundings of the village are full of fascinating itineraries and routes within the reach of the whole family among pine and beech forests, as well as very famous vie ferrate that attract mountaineering and sport climbing enthusiasts from all over Italy.
Among the most important sites of natural interest in the territory of Pescopennataro we can mention the Bosco degli Abeti Soprani, characterized by the presence of rare white firs, and the Bosco di Vallazzuna.
Among the routes to visit in nature we mention the pine forest known as the 'Bosco dell'Impero' which can also be accessed from the bike path or the Viale Leonardo da Vinci trail. Along the pine forest are placed several statues inspired by Carlo Collodi's most famous work, Pinocchio, so much so that this location has also earned the name 'Pinocchio Park.' The sculptures date back to 2008 and were created by many different artists, who wanted to recreate a theme park that is fascinating and original but at the same time environmentally friendly.
Finally, among the most beautiful and easy nature trails in the surrounding area we can mention the path that connects Pescopennataro to the Rio Verde locality, known for its springs of oligomineral water and also reachable by car.
What to do in Pescopennataro: among legends, events and traditions
Despite being a very small village, Pescopennataro is part of the 'Authentic Villages of Italy' circuit, an association that aims to guarantee for the towns that join it a sustainable lifestyle and model of development, attentive as much to the tradition and history of the place as to respect for the natural context in which it is set.
Pescopennataro, in fact, is very attached to its legends and traditions, thus making it a village that is always alive for tourism and rich in folklore.
Among the legends of the village we can mention the one related to the story of St. Luke. Legend has it that the saint, during his long journey from Rome to the Holy Land in 60 A.D., decided to stop in Pescopennataro to rest, and it was here that a beautiful hermitage was erected deep in the woods, dug directly into the limestone rock. Several hermits stayed inside this unique rock church until 1900; during World War II, it was even used as a refuge for soldiers.
The local tradition related to the saint is renewed every year on September 10, 11 and 12. As per tradition, lunch must be barbecued lamb. In the afternoon, the Painting of St. Luke is taken from the Chapel in the Woods and carried in procession to the gates of the village, to the locality of "Precious," where it is left until dusk. At dusk, following fireworks, the picture is carried to the Mother Church of St. Bartholomew the Apostle, where it is welcomed with the celebration of Holy Mass and where it remains until Oct. 18.
On Oct. 18, at 2 p.m., in procession, the painting of St. Luke is taken back to its Chapel in the "Soprani Fir Woods." To reach the Hermitage of St. Luke, it is possible to walk along the Upper Molise Trail No. 311, which is rather steep but not excessively difficult.
On January 16, however, St. Anthony Abbot is celebrated. A large bonfire is lit in Piazza del Popolo for the occasion, around which typical local dishes such as pork rinds and beans, polenta pizza coi cigoli, soppressata, meat and liver sausage roasted over embers, and mulled wine are sampled.
In summer, from July 1 to August 31, the Pescolan Summer is held: guided hikes, festival of lesca cincialosa and scamorza cheese, folk games, dance evenings, outdoor theater, senior citizen's festival, mixed relay race (ski-roll, mountain biking, running), sport climbing, live sculpture contest, market exhibition of stone carving. This is a series of events and demonstrations, also interspersed with traditional games and sports activities.
Typical gastronomic delights of Pescopennataro
Pescopennataro is a mountain community, strongly anchored in its agricultural traditions and jealous of its Molise identity, although the local cuisine has nevertheless undergone contaminations and influences due to its proximity to Abruzzo.
Typical dishes of the local gastronomy include red meat, especially lamb and cured meats. Also typical cheeses including buffalo mozzarella, caciocavallo and 'pallotte cacio e ova'. Specialties also include the famous Molise truffle.
Also worth mentioning is the extra virgin olive oil, which has been produced here for centuries thanks in part to a happy combination of climatic elements and orographic conformation of the territory.
