Venafro in Molise - An idyllic town with a mythological origin (2024)

Venafro in Molise is an idyllic town with a mythological origin.

According to legend, it was founded by the Greek superhero Diomedes, seeking redemption for his role in the Trojan War. When there’s will, his influence can still be spotted around the city.

Situated on a hilltop halfway between Rome and Naples overlooking a fertile valley, Venafro in Molise seems like the ideal place to settle. Apparently I’m not the only one tothink this way. The narrow streets surrounding the castle are lined with scaffolding. Shirtless masons run around with heavy tufi and buckets full of plaster in the midday heat. And the newly renovated houses look welcoming in vibrant colours surrounded by an ocean of potted plants and flowers. Apparently, people are investing a lot of love and money in Venafro.

Venafro in Molise - An idyllic town with a mythological origin (1)

A lot of the old houses in Venafro have beenrefurbished over the past years, attracting youngerfamilies to the old town.

Fish in a Sea of Green

We started our tour of Venafro at a deserted building known as Palazzina Liberty. The towered mansion had crumbled to a grey ruin that was contrasted by a surrounding lake of a poisonous green colour. The palazzina was originally an electricity producing water mill, and it had also served as a cinema, before being left to its own devices. Now the only living creatures to enter the edifice were fish bred in an open fish farm, and perhaps the man in wellies sprinkling foul smelling fish food over the waters.

Venafro in Molise - An idyllic town with a mythological origin (2)

The deserted water mill and cinema Palazzina Liberty.

From there we climbed up to the duomo and briefly considered doing the 5,5 km hike to Conca Casale. It’s a moderately challenging five hour tour up a mountain, but even so a walk that need to be planned in advance, so we headed for the centro storico instead. My quest was to find traces of Diomedes.

Venafro in Molise - An idyllic town with a mythological origin (3)

Behind the old city gates, potted plants thrive.

The Iliad in two Paragraphs

According to Greek mythology, Diomedes was a regular superhero in the 12th or the 11th century BC. At the ripe old age of 4 he decided to revenge his father, who had been killed in war. Ten years later he was part of the Epigoni, who won the battle of Thebes, and soon Diomedes became King of Argos and one of the most powerful and respected rulers of Hellas. A complicated story of stolen wives and sworn allegiances ensued, and Diomedes fought in the Trojan War alongside Achilles. He also went on covert military operations with Odysseus and received help through divine interventions. With the superpowers of strength, wisdom, cunning, and courage, Diomedes killed an awful lot of people and was considered the perfect embodiment of heroic values.

Though one of the one fighters to return safely from the Trojan War, Diomedes was locked out of his kingdom and he retired to a place near Lucera in Puglia, where he spread peace and civilization by building new cities, where he taught people to worship and serve the gods. About ten Italian cities are said to have been founded by the Greek superhero, and though most of them are concentrated around northern Puglia he also manage to establish settlements in Vasto in Abruzzo, Benevento in Campania and Venafro in Molise.

Venafro in Molise - An idyllic town with a mythological origin (4)

Apart from peace, quiet and civilization, we didn’t see any signs of the founding superhero Diomedes in Venafro.

Superheroon a Mission

Apparently, the founding of cities was an endeavour in the literal, practical sense. Diomedes was reported to have been found laying the foundations of new cities and digging canals, but when he died he still had a mysterious apotheosis. One legend claims that albatrosses got together and sang a song for him. Another maintains that his mourning men were transformed into birds that would guard his grave. And still others claim he was granted immortality and lived on as a divine being.

Though I did see a couple of builders in Venafro in Molise, I don’t think any of them had Diomedes’ superpowers. There were no albatrosses either, but a few swans and lots of peace and civilization. In this sense the mythical Greek hero can be said to have left his mark. I only wished he had been given a wall plaque like the one commemorating King Vittorio Emanuele II’s night in Venafro in October 1860. Superheroes are so much easier to envisage, if they have left some kind of trademark hint behind.

12 replies

    • Venafro in Molise - An idyllic town with a mythological origin (6)

      Mette Vaabengaard says:

      January 6, 2016 at 8:06 pm

      Yes, though it is probably more myth than history.

      Reply

  1. Venafro in Molise - An idyllic town with a mythological origin (7)

    Pasquale says:

    January 6, 2016 at 10:25 pm

    Thanks for the beautiful description regarding the mythological origin of the village! I am from Venafro and it made me really proud of it! Thanks for the beautiful pictures too! Pasquale

    Reply

    • Venafro in Molise - An idyllic town with a mythological origin (8)

      Mette Vaabengaard says:

      January 10, 2016 at 5:07 pm

      Thanks a lot. There is nothing as pleasing as positive feed-back from people who know the area:)

      Reply

  2. Venafro in Molise - An idyllic town with a mythological origin (9)

    Sophie says:

    January 7, 2016 at 10:35 pm

    How is it that even a deserted water mill can be so picturesque in Italy…
    Love the fables.

    Reply

    • Venafro in Molise - An idyllic town with a mythological origin (10)

      Mette Vaabengaard says:

      January 10, 2016 at 5:08 pm

      Me too, I keep stumbling over the most weird and unbelievable stories in connection to specific places.

      Reply

  3. Venafro in Molise - An idyllic town with a mythological origin (11)

    Dina says:

    May 3, 2016 at 3:17 pm

    Beautiful photos! I enjoyed learning the myths of the city. And I agree with Sophie, the water mill is lovely!

    Reply

    • Venafro in Molise - An idyllic town with a mythological origin (12)

      Mette Vaabengaard says:

      May 8, 2016 at 1:58 pm

      I found the water mill fascinating too, though stricktly speaking it wasn’t in the old part of town.

      Reply

  4. Venafro in Molise - An idyllic town with a mythological origin (13)

    Citoyen de Venafro says:

    November 22, 2016 at 12:12 pm

    You should come now in my town Venafro; the Palazzina Liberty isn’t so “ugly” and run-down anymore. We are trying to open our town more to the tourists…we need visibility that blog like this gives us. Thank you and I invite you to eat traditional food from here (almost every town has is own speecial food). :)

    Reply

    • Venafro in Molise - An idyllic town with a mythological origin (14)

      Mette says:

      November 22, 2016 at 7:19 pm

      Already when we visited Venafro in Molise last year, it was clear that a lot was being done to make the town more appealing to tourists. At that time you couldn’t walk anywhere without seeing scaffolding and builders. It was nice then, but I’m sure it is much nicer today, and we would love to go back some day soon and taste some of the local specialities.

      Reply

    • Venafro in Molise - An idyllic town with a mythological origin (15)

      Natalie says:

      August 8, 2019 at 9:48 pm

      Hello, I will come to Venafro to look for the places where my great grandparents lived!

      Reply

  5. Venafro in Molise - An idyllic town with a mythological origin (16)

    Denise Burgher says:

    January 29, 2023 at 6:28 am

    Hi my great grandparents are from Venafro Molise and they had 12 brothers and sisters. Two died at birth. The family name was Daleandro Just wondering if anyone knows of them in Venafro.Im going to visit in September for 2 weeks.We did do a family tree ancestory.Thank you.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Venafro in Molise - An idyllic town with a mythological origin (2024)

FAQs

What is Molise, Italy famous for? ›

Molise has much tradition from the religious to the pagan, many museums, archeological sites, musical and food events.

Who were the ancient people of Molise? ›

In Roman times, Molise was the home to the notorious Samnites, a people famously portrayed by the Romans as rustic and aggressive. The famous sanctuary of Pietrabbondante in the north is considered the most important cult site of the Samnite state.

What is the history of Molise and Abruzzo? ›

This book is a journey of adventure and discovery, told through stories of the human condition reflected in hope, disappointment, faith, ambition, fear, perseverance, humbleness, hatred, wisdom and the sheer power of a mother's unconditional love and devotion to her family.

Where did the Molise come from? ›

Origins and history of Molise

A key date in the history of Molise is 1221, when Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor turned Molise into a district of imperial justice. Several monasteries were founded here, including the splendid site of the Madonna delle Grotte in.

What does Molise mean in Italian? ›

(Italian moˈliːze ) noun. a region of S central Italy, the second smallest of the regions: separated from Abruzzi e Molise in 1965.

What is the traditional food of Molise, Italy? ›

Molise's most popular street food, pampanella is always on the table at parties and festivals. This baked pork fillet is flavored with garlic and plenty of hot and sweet chili peppers. It bears a red color and has a soft, juicy texture. It's eaten hot or cold, and always with bread.

Is Molise considered southern Italy? ›

Southern Italy forms the lower part of the Italian "boot", containing the ankle (Campania), the toe (Calabria), the arch (Basilicata), and the heel (Apulia), Molise (north of Apulia) and Abruzzo (north of Molise) along with Sicily, removed from Calabria by the narrow Strait of Messina.

What is the meaning of Molice? ›

Definitions of Molise. noun. a region of south central Italy. example of: Italian region. Italy is divided into 20 regions for administrative purposes.

Why did Abruzzo and Molise split? ›

Empirically, we exploit the secession of the Italian region of Molise from Abruzzo in 1963, a unique event in Italian history. Historical records document that the split was the result of pressures from Molise, the smaller community.

What are Italians from Abruzzo called? ›

• Density. 120/km2 (310/sq mi) Demonym. Italian: Abruzzese.

Is Abruzzo a Sicilian? ›

Abruzzo is geographically in Central Italy, but this Region belonged to the Kingdom of the two Sicilies (South Italy).

Is Rome in Molise? ›

Located approximately 100 miles southeast of Rome and 56 miles northeast of Naples, Molise is a small region (the second-smallest in Italy, following the Valle d'Aosta) where green hills of the Apennine mountain range surround valleys cradled between forested peaks.

Who is a famous person from Molise? ›

Molise is a small region, but some relevant people were born there: – the Pope Celestine V (between 1209 and 1215 – 1296) was elected as the 192nd pope in the Catholic Church from 5 months. – the fencer Aldo Masciotta (1909 – 1996) won the silver medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

What is a fun fact about Molise, Italy? ›

One of the nation's most rural regions, Molise is unique in showing virtually no change in population during the first century of existence of the Italian state; from 1861 to 1961 its population increased approximately 1 percent, mainly because the growth rate was offset by constant emigration, mostly to other regions ...

What are the characteristics of Molise? ›

Molise can be considered one of the less known and one of the most unspoilt region of Italy. It is characterised by mediaeval hamlets and villages, well conserved castles and abbeys, archaeological sites and ancient ruins and also a wild and uncontaminated nature.

What is Molfetta Italy known for? ›

Although Molfetta is mainly modern, its outstanding Romanesque–Apulian-style Duomo Vecchio (Old Cathedral), a national monument, dates from the 12th and 13th centuries. Fishing, boatbuilding, food processing, and the manufacture of cement are important, and fish and vegetables are exported. Pop. (2006 est.)

How much do you get paid to move to Molise Italy? ›

The region recently launched an initiative that is attracting attention from across the globe: you could even get paid to move to Molise. Those who decide to move to and live in Molise in 2023 will receive 700 euros.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Nathanial Hackett

Last Updated:

Views: 5329

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nathanial Hackett

Birthday: 1997-10-09

Address: Apt. 935 264 Abshire Canyon, South Nerissachester, NM 01800

Phone: +9752624861224

Job: Forward Technology Assistant

Hobby: Listening to music, Shopping, Vacation, Baton twirling, Flower arranging, Blacksmithing, Do it yourself

Introduction: My name is Nathanial Hackett, I am a lovely, curious, smiling, lively, thoughtful, courageous, lively person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.