Macchiagodena
Encyclopedia
Macchiagodena is a town and comune
in the province of Isernia
, (south central Italy
) located high in the Apennines mountains in the region of Molise
.
countdoms of Isernia
and Boiano, and later an a sighting post along the Pescasseroli-Candela tratturo (shepherds' track). A great number of feudal lords came one after the other to take control of the castle (due to the high advantage point overlooking the valley), including the Pandoni and the Mormile.
Many of the early to mid 20th Century inhabitants emigrated to all parts of the world, to Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada and USA.
constructed on one limestone cliff spur.
Of the Castle today only the basements of the old wall and two towers remain. The Castello (Castle)was recently put up for sale and was purchased in November 2009 by the Regione of Molise. The Regione decided to purchase the Castle for its preservation for public use and part of it maybe be used as a regional historical museum. Also noteworthy is the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, with a statue made by Francesco Saverio Citarelli from Naples, and a precious processional cross.
A very peculiar tradition is still maintained by some of the population: known as rapimento ("kidnapping"), it consists in the kidnapping of the future bride some time before the wedding is celebrated. Another fine tradition is a local dance called "tuzacula".
Comune
In Italy, the comune is the basic administrative division, and may be properly approximated in casual speech by the English word township or municipality.-Importance and function:...
in the province of Isernia
Province of Isernia
The Province of Isernia is a province in the Molise region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Isernia....
, (south central Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
) located high in the Apennines mountains in the region of Molise
Molise
Molise is a region of Southern Italy, the second smallest of the regions. It was formerly part of the region of Abruzzi e Molise and now a separate entity...
.
History
The present name of the city appeared for the first time in a document of the year 964 CE as Maccia de Godena. It was a garrison post between the LombardLombards
The Lombards , also referred to as Longobards, were a Germanic tribe of Scandinavian origin, who from 568 to 774 ruled a Kingdom in Italy...
countdoms of Isernia
Isernia
Isernia Isernia Isernia (Latin: Aesernia or, in Pliny and later writers, Eserninus, or in the Antonine Itinerary, Serni is a town and comune in the central Italian region of Molise, and the capital of Isernia province.- Geography :...
and Boiano, and later an a sighting post along the Pescasseroli-Candela tratturo (shepherds' track). A great number of feudal lords came one after the other to take control of the castle (due to the high advantage point overlooking the valley), including the Pandoni and the Mormile.
Many of the early to mid 20th Century inhabitants emigrated to all parts of the world, to Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada and USA.
Main sights
The Castle of Macchiagodena, with a polygonal plant, wasconstructed on one limestone cliff spur.
Of the Castle today only the basements of the old wall and two towers remain. The Castello (Castle)was recently put up for sale and was purchased in November 2009 by the Regione of Molise. The Regione decided to purchase the Castle for its preservation for public use and part of it maybe be used as a regional historical museum. Also noteworthy is the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, with a statue made by Francesco Saverio Citarelli from Naples, and a precious processional cross.
Culture
Macchiagodena mostly consists of farmers with a tightly knit community spirit. Every year during the 3rd Sunday in May a fine large fair is held to celebrate the feast day of San Nicola, the patron saint of the town.A very peculiar tradition is still maintained by some of the population: known as rapimento ("kidnapping"), it consists in the kidnapping of the future bride some time before the wedding is celebrated. Another fine tradition is a local dance called "tuzacula".