You have to look a long way to find a place and a view as wonderful as Agnone. This noteworthy and charming village is located deep in the heart of the Molise region and close to the green mountains of Abruzzo territory.
The town sits amidst a mountain landscape of overgrown hills, woods and cultivated land at 900 metres above sea level. The view is outstandingly colourful and shades of dark brown to vibrant green to pinkish-purple are interrupted only by an architecturally beautiful bridge that cuts through the countryside. The locals say that they often forget how beautiful their surroundings are but are reminded of it when they see the tourists arrive and sit back to take in the breathtaking natural beauty. The windy mountain roads lend themselves well to adventurous hikers, bikers and climbers even.
Read more about Agnone
Agnone is like so many of Italians medieval towns in the sense that it has an old town but is branching out into a modern district. Even the more vibrant, modern district is inviting with shops, cafes, eateries and essentials such as petrol station, pharmacy, etc. In the more quiet historic areas you can find the Piazza Plebicito, which is the main hub where there is a bar, a tobacconist, other small shops and a fountain with drinking water in. There are obviously dedicated vantage points in the village, and for families with children we can say that there are also playgrounds.
The town has just 5,000 inhabitants and 16 churches. Of these 16, one should especially have a close look at the wooden altar in the church Sant'Emidio. It is natural to think that this high number of churches is due to the city's world-renowned production of church bells. The family business Pontificia Fonderia di Campane Marinelli is now open to visitors and also has a museum Museo della Campana displaying their bell-production history. The family business is the second oldest in the world today and dates back to the year 1000.
The city has been awarded the so-called Bandiera Arancione , which is awarded by the Touring Club of Italy to small, beautiful medieval villages for their quality as a tourist destination. This Orange Flag is the sister of the Blue Flag, awarded to environmentally sound and safe beaches. What more does one need to say about Agnone!
There is a market in the town every Saturday.
If you like an active holiday, there are numerous hiking trails in the UNESCO protected natural area Riserva Naturale di Orientata Collemeluccio e Montedimezzo, which is a beautiful opportunity to explore local areas near Agnone on foot.
If you want to combine a holiday in Agnone with a trip to the beach, you can head towards either Termoli (Molise) or Vasto (Abruzzo) which will take around one hour.
Other towns in the region and in this area that are worth a trip include Isernia, which among other things is known for its lace production, and is approx. 45 km. Also, Frosolone, known for its knife and scissors production is around 40 km away.
International airports can be found at the following distances from Agnono: Rome (200 km), Naples (145 km), Pescara (95 km) and Bari (280 km).
