Pozzilli
Discover the story of Monteroduni: a hidden treasure in Molise
Monteroduni is a town of ancient origins located in the province of Isernia, Molise, in a strategic position between Isernia and Venafro and a few kilometers from the industrial area of Pozzilli-Venafro.
Origins of the name
The name Monteroduni derives from the ancient name of the Volturno river, Olotronus.
History
The village was certainly involved in the Samnite Wars due to its position as a passageway. Archaeological finds in the vicinity testify to the presence of an Italic village called Campo Sacco, or "Rotae" in Latin, near the current district of Paradiso.
In the 6th century, the town was conquered by the Lombards, who built a control tower on a hill, which later became the castle in the 9th century. In 1193, the town was destroyed during the various wars of the local lords against the Normans and then against the Swabians. The people lived in precarious conditions due to the lack of water pipelines. In the absence of a water network, until the 18th century, the population lived thanks to rainwater cisterns.
In the 13th century, the Pignatelli family settled in Monteroduni and held power without interruption until 1806, adopting the feudal system. After the abolition of feudalism, Monteroduni became a municipality, but the first works of the new bourgeoisie were to rebuild the town damaged by the strong earthquake of 1805. In 1934, the first real city aqueduct was built, and in 1938, electricity was installed because until then the oil lamp had been used since 1883. In 1950, the Caianello - Campobasso railway line, already in existence since 1894, which crossed Monteroduni but had been damaged during the Second World War, was restored. Since 1970, Monteroduni has been part of the province of Isernia, separating from Campobasso.
Tourist attractions
Pignatelli Castle
The main monument of the village is this castle, perhaps dating back to the 8th century when the Lombards erected a small fort, with the chapel of San Michele, their patron saint, now the parish church of the village. Documents mentioning the fief date back to Henry VI when Bertoldo di Kunsberg, at the head of German and Florentine soldiers, attacked the castle in 1193, owned by Tancredi. In the Chronicle of Riccardo da San Germano, the castle is described as one of the most fortified in the Matese area. From the examination of the wall structure, it can be assumed that the oldest nucleus of the fortress corresponds to the complex of buildings overlooking the so-called "false door," where signs of a square tower are still visible, certainly from a period prior to Angevin domination. The tower was connected to wooden houses and the village's fortification wall, of which remains can be seen near the inner garden fence.
San Pietro Church
The church of San Pietro is another ancient building, dating back to the end of the 15th century. Its architecture is very simple and features a single stone portal that leads to a single room divided into three aisles, separated by columns.
False Door
The False Door, already mentioned in the castle's description, represents one of the points of access to the ancient village and is composed of a double pointed arch.
Conclusions
Monteroduni is one of the hidden treasures of Molise, an ancient village with a fascinating history that is worth visiting. The Pignatelli Castle is certainly the main tourist attraction, but the San Pietro Church and the False Door are also worth a visit. Walking through the streets of the village allows you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of life in the past and admire the beauty of the surrounding landscapes.
