In the heart of the picturesque village of Bagnoli del Trigno stands the evocative Sanfelice Castle, a fortification whose origins date back to the Lombard era and are carved into the bare rock. Originally built as a defensive stronghold, it became, over the centuries, a noble residence of great prestige.
During the Norman period, it was the residence of the Counts of Isernia, whilst under Swabian rule it was home to the Counts of Molise. In 1268, Charles of Anjou gifted the castle to Riccardo di Montefuscolo, marking the beginning of a series of changes in ownership amongst the most illustrious families of southern Italy. Among these, the Caldora family stands out, having taken possession of the castle in 1430, followed by the d’Avalos family.
Its period of greatest splendour coincided with its purchase in 1520 by Antonio Sanfelice. It was this family that gave the castle its name, undertaking major extension works on the north and west sides. During this period, new rooms were added and an elegant loggia was built on the main floor, which can still be admired today.
However, from 1768 onwards, the castle began a slow decline. Fabio Sanfelice, the last member of the family, was forced to sell the property to the Vecchiarelli family, partly due to the abolition of feudal titles. Over the following decades, the building suffered continuous looting, which seriously compromised the load-bearing structures and the roof.
It was not until 1986, thanks to the generosity of the last owner, who donated the castle to the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities, that a new chapter began for the manor. From 1997 onwards, with state funding, consolidation and restoration work began which, albeit in fits and starts, has enabled the reconstruction of the walls, floors, roof and main rooms.
Today, Sanfelice Castle stands as a symbol of resilience and historical memory, a guardian of centuries of events that tell the story of the Molise region’s most authentic identity.