A day combining the most important Samnite sanctuary in Italy with a historic mountain town. Pietrabbondante's theatre-temple complex, built of megalithic stone against a dramatic mountain backdrop, was the religious heart of the ancient Samnites. Nearby Agnone is famous for the Marinelli pontifical bell foundry — the oldest in the world — and for its caciocavallo cheese-makers, making for a rich combination of archaeology, craft and food.
| Travel time | Full day |
|---|---|
| Getting there | Car essential (about 50 min from Isernia) |
| Cost | Pietrabbondante site entry approx €4; Agnone free to visit |
Weather through the year in Italy
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Italy.
Highlights
- Pietrabbondante Samnite theatre and temple
- Megalithic stonework with mountain views
- Marinelli pontifical bell foundry in Agnone
- Caciocavallo cheese tasting in Agnone
- Atmospheric Alto Molise hill towns
Tips for visiting
- Visit Pietrabbondante in the morning, Agnone for lunch
- buy aged caciocavallo and ostie ripiene sweets in Agnone