The village of Carovilli
In the green of high Molise, a few kilometers from Isernia, lies the village of Carovilli, which has approximately 1400 inhabitants.
The origin of this name is probably linked to the name “Carvilius”, that is a repetition of the name of Spurious Carvilius Maximus, Roman general and politician, as well as Consul of the Roman Republic.
But there are also other hypotheses, less popular.
The first traces of population in this area date back to 1068 A.D., when Carovilli appeared to be a fief of Borrello family by the diploma whereby a Borrello count of Pietrabbondante made a donation of goods to the Monastery of Sant’Apostolo.
Around the ‘700, Carovilli passed as dowry to Anna Maria Marchesano, wife of the duke of Pescolanciano, Giuseppe d’Alessandro: the country remained a possession of the D’Alessandro until the end of feudalism.
The village, which preserves the typical beauty of small towns in inner Molise.
Stands out for its central square thar houses the eighteenth-century parish church and the fountain, which has on its top a bronze statue representing a young Bacchus, to which the population is particularly attached.
Essential also a visit to the Church of San Domenico, which is located exactly on the path of transhumance, as it lies on a connection stretch between the main tracks Celano – Foggia and Castel di Sangro – Lucera. It is open to the public only on special occasions: one of them is the feast of Tresca, the old wheat threshing with animals.
The summer season allows to enhance also the Church of San Nicola sul Colle, which becomes the scene of numerous events, including musical ones.
You can not go away from Carovilli without going also to the House of Santo Stefano del Lupo, protector of the beautiful village of Molise.
Right here, at Christmas time, takes place one of the most special and beautiful Living Nativity of the whole region.
A little ‘culinary’ hint: Carovilli is famous for the harvest of truffles, so do not leave the country without having tasted a bit.