A mountain bike race happens on our last day in Agnone. All the town is out to send off the racers, along with these two strangers who add a decorative touch. The race runs through the mountains around Agnone. The Agnone Folklore group kicks off the race. They perform several dances, all in good form. …
We visit the town of Salcito, another hill town near Agnone, to meet a naturalist who will take us on a walk in the area. On the way we drive over one of the many bridges that criss-cross the region. Our driver Fernando tells us that the bridge failed just two days after its opening. …
We spend the day out in the countryside, first visiting a Caseificio, a place where cheese is made. It is a small, family-run place, and the mother greets us at the door to the working area. Here they make mozzarella and a cheese called caciocavallo. We are shown the balls of Mozzarella after they have …
Today we visit Carovilli, another small town set on a very steep hill. City Hall with the bar next door. A ceremony for installing a new mayor is taking place so the bar cannot accommodate us. It is full of celebrants congratulating the new mayor, and the rain makes sitting outside impossible. Many of the …
Today we take a drive to a town called Frosolone. On the way we pass many small towns nestled in the hills. The historic center of Frosolone features narrow streets from medieval times. Each of the three historic areas or contrade of the town has its own church and a portal for defense. The portal …
We visit several shops in Agnone known for artigian products. Carosella is an historic shop known for its prized sweets, in particular confetti, candies made from almonds and sugar. Anna shows us a vintage tool used to make sweets called ostia. The shop still makes the ostie in a traditional recipe going back to the …
Each day we meet at the fountain in Agnone’s Piazza Plebliscito to have a coffee during the mid-day class break. The symbol of Agnone is featured on each of the fountain’s medallions, along with a crown, indicating that the town was a royal city during the time of Bourbon rule. The back streets of Agnone …
We pass the town of Pesche on the way from Rome to Agnone for a two-week program of language immersion called Live and Learn Italian. Agnone is in the region of Molise, the newest region in Italy. It was once part of Abruzzo. After about a two-hour drive from Rome, we reach Agnone, a long …