San Felice del Molise
San Felice del Molise: a community of Croats in Molise
San Felice del Molise is a municipality of about 600 inhabitants located in the province of Campobasso, in Molise. Here, a community of Croats in Molise has settled and maintained their language and culture over the centuries. In this text, we will take a tour through the history, monuments, economy, and society of this fascinating town.
Origin of the name
The town, which was named "San Felice Slavo" in 1863, changed its name to "San Felice del Littorio" during the fascist period. Only in 1949 did it take its current name of "San Felice del Molise".
History
The town began to populate in the early sixteenth century when many Croats settled in Molise. Today, the community of San Felice del Molise represents one of the main centers of Croatian language and culture in the region.
The Italian State recognizes this and other Slavic-speaking communities adjacent to the municipality as a Minority Language, although it recognizes Croatian as the minority language instead of the locally present language, the Molise Croatian language.
Symbols
The coat of arms and the banner of San Felice del Molise were granted by decree of the President of the Republic on February 20, 1985. The banner is an azure and red troncated dappled.
Monuments and places of interest
Ducal Castle
The Ducal Castle of San Felice del Molise was completed in the seventeenth century on the ruins of the old castle. It is a structure that maintains the characteristics of a medieval manor: on the corners, there are traces of the old rectangular towers. The portal is a simple arch covered in rustication.
A legend has it that the castle was inhabited by Princess Cecilia, who died a saint in Rome.
Church of Santa Maria Divina del Castello
The Church of Santa Maria Divina del Castello was built on a part of the remains of the castle. It dates back to 1910 and has a very elongated stone facade that is horizontal in shape, resembling a hut. The raw stone interior is a single nave and houses the figure of Cecilia. The bell tower is a small turret.
Church of San Felice Papa
The Church of San Felice Papa was built in the ninth century, as shown by some inscriptions on the facade. The church is in the form of a chapel and is important in the artistic field because it has not undergone Baroque and Late medieval influences.
The structure of the gabled facade shows a portal with a simple triangle architrave. The top is decorated with a wavy cornice that follows the perimeter. The interior houses a painting dedicated to San Felice.
Society
The community of San Felice del Molise is mainly composed of Croats and Italians, and the Croatian language is still very much used in daily life. The majority of the population lives in rural areas and the economy is mainly based on agriculture and livestock farming.
Demographic evolution
In recent decades, the population of San Felice del Molise has decreased due to the emigration of young people to Northern Italy's cities.
Economy
The economy of San Felice del Molise is mainly based on agriculture and livestock farming. Among the most traditional activities are those in the handicraft industry, which, although not as widespread as in the past, are not entirely disappeared, and are distinguished by the art of hand weaving aimed at making blankets and raw fabrics.
Administration
Below is a table related to the administrations that have succeeded in this municipality.
Sport
Football
San Felice Calcio is the football team of San Felice del Molise.
Conclusions
In summary, San Felice del Molise represents a small window into Croatian culture and language in the heart of Molise. This small but vibrant community has maintained its traditions over the centuries and has been able to adapt to the changes of the modern world. If you have the opportunity to visit San Felice del Molise, do not miss the opportunity to discover its beauty and unique culture.
