Venafro

For the American baseball player, see Mike Venafro.

Venafro
Comune
Città di Venafro
Coat of arms
Venafro within the Province of Isernia
Location of Venafro
Venafro Location of Venafro in Italy Venafro Venafro (Molise)
Coordinates: 41°29′4″N 14°2′45″E
Country	Italy
Region	Molise
Province	Isernia (IS)
Frazioni	Ceppagna, Le Noci, Vallecupa
Government
• Mayor	Alfredo Ricci
Area
• Total	45 km2 (17 sq mi)
Elevation	222 m (728 ft)
Population  (31 September 2021)
• Total	11,079
• Density	250/km2 (640/sq mi)
Demonym	Venafrani
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	86079
Dialing code	0865
ISTAT code	094052
Patron saint	SS. Nicandro, Marciano and Daria
Saint day	17 June
Website	Official website

Venafro (Latin: Venafrum; Greek: Οὐέναφρον) is a comune in the province of Isernia, region of Molise, Italy. It has a population of 11,079, having expanded quickly in the post-war period.

Geography

Situated at the foot of Mount Santa Croce, elevation 1,026 metres (3,366 ft) above sea level, at a height of 222 metres (728 ft) above sea level, the elevation of the municipal territory varies from 158 to 1,205 metres (518 to 3,953 ft) above sea level. The municipality stretches along the homonymous plain crossed by the Volturno and San Bartolomeo rivers whose sources are located in the center of the Venafro plain. Other notable mountains are: Monte Sambucaro at 1,205 metres (3,953 ft), Monte Cesima at 1,180 metres (3,870 ft), Monte Corno at 1,054 metres (3,458 ft), Monte Santa Croce or Cerino, at 1,026 metres (3,366 ft), and Colle San Domenico at 921 metres (3,022 ft). Once a part of the province of Terra di Lavoro in Campania (territory with which it is still culturally linked), the city is now known as the door of Molise and is of major importance to the socio-economic dynamics of the province due to its highly developed economy, and is considered one of the four central industrial cores in the region.

Climate

Venafro since ancient times is known for its mild climate. Winter is quite cold with rain; snow rarely leads to modest accumulations. Frosts are common; the absolute minimum temperature in the last 10 years was −6.4 °C (20.5 °F) in 2005. The intermediate seasons are milder but with frequent precipitation. Summer is very hot with temperatures often reaching 30 °C (86 °F); the absolute maximum temperature of the last 10 years was about 37.6 °C (99.7 °F) in 2007. This fairly mild climate derives from being in an exposed southern plain closed from the mountains; but in periods of high pressure thermal excursions temperatures may vary 15 to 20 °C (59 to 68 °F) between day and night.

History

Ancient era

Although myth attributes the founding of Venafrum to Diomedes, son of Tydeus and Deipyle, the town’s historical roots lie within the territory of the Samnites. Archaeological evidence suggests continuous settlement from prehistoric times, including remains on the plain and on Monte Santa Croce (Cerino), where polygonal masonry walls and terrace platforms indicate the presence of a fortified Samnite acropolis. A complex of terraces and domestic structures at the Madonna della Libera site—possibly reused into the Roman period as a *basis villae*—attests to the area's strategic and agrarian value.

Venafrum figures prominently in Roman history during the Social War (91–88 BC), when in 88 BCE it was betrayed to the Samnite leader Marius Egnatius, and two Roman cohorts stationed there were slaughtered. In the ensuing campaigns, Lucius Cornelius Sulla razed nearby settlements. Later, in January 49 BCE, Pompey camped near the town while retreating from Teano during the civil war.

The town's agricultural prosperity, especially its famed olive oil, is noted in several classical sources. Cicero repeatedly praised the fertility of the territory, which the tribune Rullus proposed for redistribution under his agrarian reforms. Though this plan failed, Augustus eventually founded a colony—Colonia Augusta Julia Venafrum—which retained its colonial status in inscriptions and administrative records. Infrastructure projects followed, including the construction of the Rivus Venafranus, which channeled water from the Volturno River at Rocchetta a Volturno to supply the town.

Venafrum also served as a rural retreat for Roman elites. Horace and Juvenal describe it as a resort noted for its climate and tranquility, and Pliny the Elder praised its olive oil as the finest in the Roman Empire. When Christianity spread into the central Apennines, Venafrum became the seat of a bishopric, likely established in the 5th century CE.

Middle Ages

Between 774 and 787 the Venafro plain was crossed by the troops of Charlemagne, which clashed with the Lombards of the Principality of Benevento. According to Monte Cassino chronicler Erchempertus, in 861, Venafro was occupied by Emir Sawdan of the Emirate of Bari. After the dark period of the Middle Ages, which saw Venafro sinking into poverty and disease in later centuries the city enjoyed an era of expansion and prosperity, with numerous churches and palaces dating from that era that changed the face of the city. Feudal families that reigned over Venafro were the Savelli, Spinelli, Peretti, and the Caracciolo of Miranda, Italy.

Modern era

From autumn 1943 to spring of 1944 Venafro was the scene (along with Pozzilli, Filignano, San Pietro Infine) of bitter fighting between the Germans, entrenched in the mountains to the north and the British – French – U.S. along the Gustav Line, during the Battle of Monte Cassino. Mistaken for Monte Cassino, Venafro was hit hard by aerial bombing on March 15, 1944. Venafro until 1863 was included in the territory of the Terra di Lavoro (currently the province of Caserta), until the establishment of the province of Campobasso was annexed to that territory, and then got incorporated into the Molise region. In 1970, it was incorporated into the newly formed province of Isernia, despite controversy and often violent protests that favored to remain part of the province of Caserta. In the spring of 1984, the city was severely damaged by the earthquake originating in the nearby Valle di Comino, in the province of Frosinone. In 1987, the city was named by Censis (Centro Studi Sociali Investments, an institute of socio-economic research), one of the 100 municipalities of the "Great Little Italy." Since 1994, it has been a member of the ANCO (National Association of (Olive) Oil Citys). On April 25, 2005, Venafro was awarded the gold medal for Civil Valor from the President of the Republic, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, for its valor during the air bombardment it suffered during World War II.

Main sights

Venafro can be broadly divided into two urban zones: the historic center, built on Roman foundations and enclosed by medieval walls, and the modern town, which developed more rapidly after the Second World War.

Historic center

The historic center (Centro Storico) follows the layout of the ancient Roman town. Many buildings retain Roman foundations, while later structures incorporate reused materials (spolia). The area suffered damage from earthquakes during the 20th century and saw depopulation in the 1960s and 1970s. Although government reconstruction was slow, by 2000 most buildings had been stabilized. In the early 21st century, younger residents began to return, and the upper floors of many buildings now serve as residences, with lower floors housing shops.

Castle Pandone

Positioned on the highest point of the town, Castle Pandone is named after the 15th-century nobleman Enrico Pandone, though its origins lie in a Lombard fortification built in the 10th century. Expanded in the 14th century with circular towers and further transformed in the 15th century with the addition of a moat, the castle is notable for its Renaissance frescoes of horses, commissioned by Pandone himself. Today it houses the Museo Nazionale del Molise, which displays artworks from disused churches throughout the region.

Recent exhibitions have enhanced its role as a cultural hub. These include Winterline (2014–2016), curated by Cultural Documents and featuring the work of Scottish artist Elaine Shemilt, which focused on World War II military movements in the region. In 2014, a permanent exhibition space was opened to display the work of local artist Romeo Musa.

Verlasce Roman Amphitheater

The remains of the Verlasce amphitheater are located within the modern town, partially overlain by later buildings. This elliptical Roman structure could hold up to 15,000 spectators and likely dates to the early Imperial period. In more recent times, the ruins were repurposed for agricultural use, housing stables and tool storage.

Roman theater

Situated along the ancient Decumanus Maximus, the Roman theater of Venafro features a large stage building (scaenae frons) approximately 60 meters wide and an auditorium capable of seating around 3,500 spectators. The theater is paired with a nearby odeon, and both have been subject to modern archaeological excavation and conservation efforts.

Other Samnite, Roman, and medieval remains

Several other monuments testify to Venafro's long habitation. Traces of a Roman aqueduct (the Rivus Venafranus) are visible in the town center, along with sections of Samnite city walls dated to the 4th century BCE, including a polygonal masonry structure from the 1st century BCE. The "Torricella," a restored Roman fortification, and the "Market Tower" (Palazzo Caracciolo), a fortified medieval structure guarding the eastern gate, illustrate the layering of ancient and medieval defenses. The Palazzo Libertina, built in the 20th century, functioned as a hydroelectric plant.

Churches

Church of the Annunciation

Venafro is traditionally known as the "City of 33 Churches" due to its numerous places of worship, many of which date from the medieval and early modern periods. Some, like the churches of Santi Martino e Nicola, are now closed or abandoned, but others remain active.

Cathedral

Venafro Cathedral, the city’s largest church, stands at the foot of Parco Oraziano. Built in the 5th century under Bishop Constantine atop a former pagan temple, it incorporates Roman and early Christian elements. The interior features three naves and 14th-century frescoes. Renovations in the 20th century removed Baroque additions in favor of earlier Gothic and medieval elements. The “cappellone,” a chapel built in the late 17th century, is located behind the main altar.

Annunziata (Church of the Annunciation)

The Church of the Annunciation was constructed in the 14th century using material from a nearby Roman theater. Though originally featuring a gabled façade, it acquired its present Baroque appearance through successive renovations. The interior contains a 14th-century crucifix and a silver bust of St. Nicandro. A frescoed dome dominates the skyline.

Basilica of San Nicandro and convent

Located on the eastern edge of the town, the Basilica of San Nicandro is built over Roman foundations and has undergone multiple reconstructions, the most recent in 2001. The church contains two naves and a wooden altar crafted with marquetry and pyrography. A spring known as the "Manna of St. Nicandro" emerges in the crypt, where the saint’s tomb was rediscovered.

Chiesa del Cristo (Church of Christ)

Façade and bell tower of Church of Christ

The Church of Christ, or Chiesa del Cristo, on Via Cavour was built in the late 16th century and remodeled in the 17th century. The Baroque-style building features stucco decorations, niches with statues of the Four Evangelists, and a prominent bell tower. The single-aisle interior is adorned with paintings and architectural detail.

National Archaeological Museum "Santa Chiara"

Housed in an 18th-century former convent, the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Santa Chiara exhibits a collection of Roman statuary and inscriptions. Notable works include the Antonine "Venus of Venafro," two imperial statues identified as Augustus and Tiberius, and the "Tavola Acquaria," an inscribed edict regulating use of the Roman aqueduct system during the Augustan age.

French military cemetery

Located along Highway 85 toward Isernia, the French military cemetery contains the graves of approximately 4,500 soldiers, many of them of North African origin. The site commemorates those who died during the Battle of Monte Cassino, including Moroccan, Algerian, Tunisian, and Senegalese troops. The layout incorporates elements of Islamic architectural tradition, including ceramic-tiled minaret-style monuments and inscriptions. Tombs of the Unknown Soldier—Tunisian, Algerian, and Moroccan—are placed at the center of the cemetery.

Parks

Wildlife preserve

Located at the border between Molise and Campania, in the municipalities of Venafro and Capriati a Volturno is a man-made wildlife preserve. The approximately 32 acres (130,000 m²) of property, have been entrusted to World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Italy. Situated along the short stretch of the Volturno River, which marks the border between Molise and Campania, The Mortine Oasis occupies an artificial waterway created by the construction of a hydroelectric dam. The set of aquatic habitats are surrounded by a hygrophilous (willows, poplars, alders) forest. The lake and the woods are habitat for diverse aquatic fauna and waterfowl.

Regional Agricultural Historical Olive Park

The Parco Oraziano behind the city's cathedral became the Regional Agricultural Historical Olive Park of Venafro. A regional law aimed at establishing a protected area to preserve the heritage of Venafro's olives and olive trees. The Regional Agricultural Historical Olive Park of Venafro is the first park in the Mediterranean area with an olive theme.

Festivals and traditions

Festival of Holy Martyrs and Patrons

The patron saints of the city are martyrs Nicandro, Marciano, and Daria (Daria consort of Nicandro) which are also the patrons of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Isernia-Venafro, whose feast occurs on June 17. The festival originated during an earthquake that struck the city in 1688, but the town escaped serious damage or casualties. The population bestowed an annual festival of thanksgiving on the first Sunday of June, to honor of their saints in gratitude of escaping harm Also, a bust was made of St. Nicandro in silver, later stolen and replaced by an identical copy, which is carried in procession during the festival. In 1933, under the high altar of the church of St. Nicandro the remains of the saint was found in a grave, from which originates the "Holy Manna" (spring water) at fixed intervals, so the crypt of the church has become a pilgrimage destination. Currently, the holiday begins on May 17 (Sant N'candriegl) with the month dedicated to the saints, with a procession and return to the church of the convent of St. Nicandro. The real party, one of the greatest attractions of the region, is celebrated by June 16 to 18 with performances and processions, and attracts thousands of faithful and tourists even outside the region. On June 16 there is a procession in the evening with a bust of St. Nicandro and relics from the church of the saint, followed by the solemn vespers presided by the bishop and the clergy. The sacred and venerated icons remain at the church for all the festivities. On the evening of the 16th there is a band concert in Market Square. On June 17, is the pontifical mass, involving the bishop and civil and religious leaders. During this ceremony, the mayor delivers keys of the city, symbolizing the protection of the people to patron saints. In the evening there is a concert in the square generally with a nationally known singer. The festival culminates with an impressive procession on the 18th, followed by thousands of people, in which the statues of three saints are carried from the church of St. Nicandro to that of the Annunciation.

Other festivals

Other festivals include:

• March 19: nd i Favor r' San Giuseppe, or the lighting of bonfires in the various squares in the historic city center.
• Good Friday: procession of Christ and Our Lady of Sorrows.
• May 1: the Feast of the Cross.
• Pentecost Sunday celebrates Madonna of the Roses, with a feast of near the church of the same name, with a procession and musical entertainment in the square.
• On the Sunday of Corpus Domini is held the traditional procession through the streets of downtown.
• June 13: There is a procession of Saint Anthony of Padua for the old town from the church of the Annunciation.
• July 1 and 2: Our Lady of Grace feast.
• July 15 and 16: Celebrates Our Lady of Mount Caramel. 15 band concerts and fireworks.
• August 1 the 2nd: Our Lady of the Angels celebration.
• September 23: St Pio of Pietrelcina celebration in the convent of St. Nicandro with a processional and musical entertainment in the square.
• The first Sunday of October: Celebration of Our Lady of the Rosary in the village of Ceppagna with procession and various shows.
• November 11: Saint Martino and Nicola celebration
• December 8: feast of the Immaculate Conception with a fair in the morning.

People

• St. Nicandro, San Marciano, Santa Daria, martyrs
• Antonio de Venafro, Italian Leader
• Leopoldo Pilla, scientist and patriot
• Amico da Venafro, Italian leader
• Edoardo Cimorelli, parliamentarian
• Giovanni de Amicis, judge and historian
• Gennaro Morra, poet and writer

Economy

Agriculture is traditionally conducted at a household level. In particular, the historic production of olive oil it is still active. Venafro has obtained the status of "Oil City", and boasts a native species of olive, Aurino. Engineering, manufacturing, construction, detergents, agricultural and food products industries also make up Venafro's economy. Tourism remains underdeveloped despite artistic, architectural, historical and cultural items that Venafro has to offer.

Transportation

Venafro highway.

Venafro has many road and rail connections due to its geographical position, being placed right at the south-western region of Molise. The town is crossed by the SS 85 Venafrana, which connects the Caianello motorway interchange with Molise and Campania; SS6 Casilina, linking with Lazio and Molise San Vittore del Lazio motorway. Finally, the municipality is crossed by the Vairano-Isernia railway.

Frazioni

• Ceppagna has about 600 inhabitants. It is almost 300 metres (980 ft) above sea level and lies 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from the capital city. The largest of the villages of Venafro, it rests on the slopes of Mount Sammucro, elevation 1,205 metres (3,953 ft), near the border with Campania. Already inhabited in ancient times, by Romans and Samnites, Ceppagna has considerable historical important sites. The name "Ceppagna" comes from the Latin cippus, meaning engraved marking stone.
• Vallecupa has about 150 inhabitants and is located as the name implies in a small valley on the border with Ontario, Italy near Mount Cesima.
• Le Noci has about 60 inhabitants. This residential settlement is on the slopes of Mount Sambucaro, elevation 1,205 metres (3,953 ft). It is about 400 metres (1,300 ft) above sea level and enjoys a cooler climate than the capital city, from which it is about 5 kilometres (3 mi).

Twin cities

Venafro is twinned with:

• Cēsis, Latvia
• Cassino, Italy

See also

• Venafrum, ancient Roman town
• U.S. Venafro, local football club
• Roccapipirozzi, a village founded by the refugees from Venafro

References

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

External links

• Official website (in Italian)