Every year, on August 17 and 18, the village of San Domenico di Carovilli (IS), nestled along the tratturo, becomes the beating heart of one of Molise’s most authentic events: the Tresca.. This event, which takes its name from the ancient dialect term for threshing, evokes with extraordinary fidelity the peasant tradition linked to the wheat harvest.
The Tresca was once the last stage of a long agricultural journey that began months earlier with sowing. After the harvest, the wheat was tied in sheaves and brought to the threshing floor, where it was “tresked” with the help of horses. The animals, walking in circles on the loose sheaves, separated the grains from the straw. Forks would lift the material so that the wind would help clean the crop, leaving only the grain on the ground. Finally, the harvest was sifted and auctioned, with the proceeds traditionally donated to Our Lady.
Today this re-enactment has become a must-attend event for those who want to rediscover the roots of Molise’s rural civilization. The elderly participate with nostalgia, remembering when the fruit of those labors determined the survival of families. At the same time, young people are approaching with growing enthusiasm, aware of the importance of preserving a collective memory that is in danger of being lost.
But the Tresca is not only agricultural tradition: it is also a time of celebration, meeting and culture. The event is accompanied by a rich food stand where visitors can enjoy typical dishes prepared with local ingredients in a convivial and genuine atmosphere. The evenings are lit up with musical entertainment by folk groups from all over Molise and other regions, emphasizing the universality of folk music.
La Tresca di Carovilli is more than a festival: it is a living tale that unites past and present, memory and identity. An event to mark in the agenda for those who love to discover the authentic soul of a territory.