Description

Santa Maria del Molise is a small village at the foot of the Matese River, which offers visitors many surprises. As you approach the centre of the town, you cross a particularly suggestive area, because it is marked by a series of small water channels, which give rise to the Rio River, one of the main tributaries of the Biferno River, and which are probably the basis of the ancient name of the town, called Capo d’Acqua.Approaching the centre of the town you cross a particularly suggestive area, because it is marked by a series of small water channels, which give rise to the river Rio, one of the main tributaries of the river Biferno, and which are probably at the base of the ancient name of the town, called in fact Capo d’Acqua.

In the past, water was used for the operation of a power station and several mills, one of which has recently been renovated and now represents a beautiful testimony of the past.

Santa Maria del Molise is a small village at the foot of the Matese River, which offers visitors many surprises. As you approach the centre of the town, you cross a particularly suggestive area, because it is marked by a series of small water channels, which give rise to the Rio River, one of the main tributaries of the Biferno River, and which are probably the basis of the ancient name of the town, called Capo d’Acqua. Santa Maria del Molise is also famous for  the old houses with stone roofs, called “the smooths.”

Approaching the centre of the town you cross a particularly suggestive area, because it is marked by a series of small water channels, which give rise to the river Rio, one of the main tributaries of the river Biferno, and which are probably at the base of the ancient name of the town, called in fact Capo d’Acqua.

In the past, water was used for the operation of a power station and several mills, one of which has recently been renovated and now represents a beautiful testimony of the past.

The very pure water, which in fact is home to the rare crayfish, small ponds, fun little waterfalls, and green trees make this area among the most pleasant rest stops in Molise. Not to be missed!

Passing the center of Santa Maria del Molise, going up along the mountain, it is easy to reach the hamlet of Sant’Angelo in Grotte: a charming place with its small medieval village and the suggestive belvedere, with the church of San Pietro in Vincolis rebuilt on the basis of an ancient drawing from the 1700s.

We recommend entering the church of San Pietro in Vincoli and entering the crypt, which was discovered in the early 1950s.

On the walls of the small underground space you can admire an amazing cycle of frescoes from the late 14th century.
The panels depict the seven works of corporal mercy, ending with a harmonious view of a medieval town, representing Bethlehem, and a flaming head of the Redeemer.

It is one of the least known places in Molise, but among the most striking. A destination for true travelers

Instead, descending down the steps adjacent to the bell tower of the Sanctuary of St. Michael the Archangel opens up a spectacle for the eye, a belvedere from which one seems to touch the summit of Mount Miletto.

Passing through precious bronze portals, one enters the beautiful cave of St. Michael; a spring with water oozing from the rock, and a hole that legend has it was the entrance to St. Michael’s path to an underground route leading to the Gargano, envelop this cave with an evocative aura and make it one of the most interesting shrines in Europe related to the Micaelic cult.