Rionero Sannitico
Rionero Sannitico: the small mountain town
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about Rionero Sannitico, a small town with just 955 inhabitants located in the mountains of the province of Isernia, in Molise.
Physical geography
The main characteristic of this town is that it is located at an altitude of 1,051 m above sea level. Surrounded by the mountains, the surrounding territory is predominantly mountainous. One of the most interesting details about the town is that, according to some, the border between the Central Apennines and the Southern Apennines is located near the Rionero Sannitico pass.
History
Rionero Sannitico is a town with a very ancient and fascinating history, characterized by the passing of power from various families during the late Middle Ages and the early Renaissance. Initially, like many other towns in the area, the city had a feudal function. The Carafa family, whose castle, unfortunately now in ruins, is still visible, had the greatest influence on the development of the area. The adjacent church, dating back to the 17th century, is also attributed to the Carafa family.
Monuments and places of interest
Despite the destruction caused by wars and seismic movements of varying intensity, several works of art have survived. Among them, the Mother Church, dedicated to Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, is the most important from an artistic point of view. You can still admire frescoes dating back to the 18th century, although many others were lost due to the earthquake of 1984.
Society
Demographic evolution
Unfortunately, like many other towns in Italy, Rionero Sannitico is slowly and progressively undergoing a demographic decline.
Economy
Despite the difficulties, the town is trying to stay alive thanks to various artisanal and family-run activities such as carpentry, aluminum and metal fixture workshops, marble processing, beauticians, hairdressers, and two bakeries. In addition, there are also numerous construction firms and livestock farming of cattle, pigs, and sheep. The town is famous for its black truffle, which surpasses it by far in quantity compared to white truffle.
Infrastructure and transport
Despite its enviable position, Rionero Sannitico has never fully exploited its potential. The State Road 17, dating back to the Napoleonic period, and the State Road 652 of Fondo Valle Sangro, built in the 1970s, are the main commercial traffic routes in the center-south. The latter is so important that two refuges that base their subsistence on many occasional and habitual passers-by are located at "Predalve", a completely uninhabited district. The road is mandatory for those who want to reach Roccaraso (20 km away) or the Abruzzo parks, the largest winter tourist area in the center-south.
This is my story of the town of Rionero Sannitico, a city full of history and natural beauty. If you have the opportunity to visit it, you won't regret it!
