Molise is perhaps the region that has preserved its authentic soul the most, keeping a strong relationship with the most ancient traditions and with nature: in fact, not everyone knows that this small region preserves one of the largest biodiversities in all of Italy, with varied and rare animal and plant species. Molise allows one to experience a reality on a human scale, so much so that there are no large cities but only picturesque villages, including Trivento. This village, located just 17 km from Campobasso, holds an important historical heritage, which goes hand in hand with traditions handed down for centuries such as crocheting.
What to see in Trivento
Trivento è a small village located on the border with Abruzzo, in the heart of the Trigno Valley: perched on a hill, è girdled by an area dotted with larch groves, oak forests and rock formations called morge, part of the Parco delle Morge Cenozoiche del Molise.
The name refers to the geographical position of the Molise village, exposed in fact to winds from the east, south and north. The village è of Samnite origin although from III BC it became part of the famous Regio IV under Augustus. In the course of its history Trivento è been ruled by numerous lordships, of the Caldara and the Angioini, who succeeded each other in occupying the Ducal Castle dating back to the 13th century.
Photo by prolocoterventum.altervista.org
Strolling in placid silence through the narrow alleys of Trivento è like stepping back in time, among stone houses, small fountains from the 1930s made of limestone and cast iron, and then bristling stairways that connect the upper and lower parts of the village. Next to the remains of the Ducal Castle, in whose noble hall valuable frescoes are still visible, is the Romanesque cathedral dating back to 1076 dedicated to the patron saints Victor, Celsus and Nazarius: the 13th-century stone portal and a mosaic of Christ stand out against the neoclassical facade, while the interior preserves a beautiful wooden choir, 18th-century stuccoes and a high altar dating from 1743.
Cathedral of Saints Nazario Celso and Vittore, Instagram/michelepermanente
The church stands on the crypt of San Casto dating back to the 11th-12th centuries, evocative with the 13th-century frescoes on the walls and the bas-relief depicting the Holy Trinity between dolphins and angels. The crypt è itself erected on an ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Diana, and it seems that this pagan place of worship was desired by the Florio family, amphora producers who lived in nearby Roccavivara, 13 km from Trivento: there are actually the remains of a domus from the 1st AD here, a stone’s throw from the Sanctuary of the Madonna of Canneto dating back to the 12th century, flanked by a bell tower built in the Gothic style in 1329 decorated with three-light windows and battlements at the top.
Trivento, the home of crochet
The Stairway of St. Nicholas è the symbol of the Trivento hamlet and è was built with three lanes in white limestone: the 365 steps connect the lower part of the hamlet to the upper part called Piano. Walking along this beautiful slope, it is not è rare to catch a glimpse of a few artisan stores displaying crocheted works, one of Trivento’s typicalities.
It all started in 2018 when Mrs. Lucia Santorelli has made, in collaboration with all the citizens, a carpet made in crochet so long that it covers the entire San Nicola Steps. This initiative with an absolutely charitable purpose went around the world, arousing clamor and interest. During the Advent season of the same year in Trivento, a large Christmas tree was then made in Fountain Square a large Christmas tree, made with hundreds of doilies made with the crochet technique, so much so that it looked like a splendid colored mosaic. No wonder, then, that today Trivento is considered the Crochet Capital..
Photo by prolocoterventum.altervista.org
In 2019, the Molise town had the honor of hosting the first edition of the event Yarn Bombing Day: artists and crochet enthusiasts from all over the world, from Canada, Australia, the U.S. and the rest of Europe, reached Trivento to make their crochet crafts. Each handiwork è was then displayed in a path that ran from Fountain Square all the way to the heart of the historic center, in Cathedral Square.
One of the best times to visit Trivento canò be the month of September, that is, during the Sagra dello zapp’ttone e dei cavatelli: these are two typical Trivento dishes, the former made with le lamb livers and veal tripe, while the latter are the classic fresh pasta topped with broccoli or cardoncelli mushrooms.
Photo by Lucia Santorelli
Main photo of Instagram/paoloscaranofotografo
