In the historic center of Bonefro stands the former Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, now a valuable cultural container that houses the Ethnographic Museum, the Tina Modotti Archives and an auditorium used as an exhibition hall. This historic building, made of local stone, is a landmark for the collective memory and identity of the area.
The convent has two main levels, with a basement floor present only in the part occupied by the former church of St. Francis. The entire complex is built according to a courtyard plan, with a central square-shaped cloister surrounded by a double-level portico. Surrounding the cloister are the rooms that once housed the friars’ cells, common rooms and the church itself. In the center of the inner courtyard the original cistern, dating from 1736, is still visible.
The former church, with a hall plan, preserves in the rear part the rooms once used for the sacristy. The load-bearing structure of the complex is made of hewed stone masonry, while some areas rebuilt later are of stone and plastered brick.
Monastic life ended in 1809 following the suppression of religious orders. Since then the building became municipal property and was put to various uses: military barracks, civil prison, public school. Today, thanks to restoration and enhancement works, the convent has been reborn as a multipurpose cultural center.
The Ethnographic Museum houses objects, tools and testimonies related to daily life and traditional working activities in Bonefro, offering an evocative cross-section of the rural world of Molise. The Tina Modotti Archive, dedicated to the famous photographer and activist, represents an important documentary and cultural hub, while the auditorium hosts events, exhibitions and public initiatives.
The former Santa Maria delle Grazie Convent is now a living place, where past and present dialogue through culture, memory and community participation, making it an essential stop for those who wish to discover the authentic soul of Molise.