Carovilli: immersion in history along the sheep track

Carovilli, a village in upper Molise, lies along a track connecting the Lucera-Castel di Sangro and Celano-Foggia sheep tracks. Its history is rooted in the Samnite era. Remains of necropolises, fortifications and an Italic temple are visible on Mount Ferrante.
The first settlement arose around the church of S. Pietro di Tasso, built by the Benedictines. In 1450 the village moved to the mountain slopes, where the church of S. Maria Assunta was erected. The name “Carovilli” may derive from the consul Spurio Carvillo, cited by Livy.
During the Middle Ages, the village was a fief of the Borrello family and, from 1799, part of the Department of Sangro. With the reform of 1811, it became capital of the District, including Pescolanciano, San Pietro Avellana and Chiauci.
The church of S. Maria Assunta, built in the 15th century, houses the remains of S. Stefano del Lupo, the town’s patron saint. It has three portals, a bell tower and a 16th-century holy water stoup decorated with a snake in relief. In the hamlet of Castiglioe are the churches of San Nicola. Also notable are the ruins of the Benedictine convent of S. Pietro del Tasso, dating to the 10th century, beside the “Fonte del Convento”. Lastly, the church of S. Domenico, linked to transhumance, lies on the sheep track.
The birthplace of S. Stefano del Lupo preserves a small chapel with a painting of the Saint. The Fountain of Bacchus, in Piazza Municipio, is a cast iron sculpture by the French foundry “Val d’Osne”, a replica of “L’Automne” by Mathurin Moreau.
Carovilli keeps ancient traditions alive. The “Tresca”, wheat threshing with horses, is celebrated in late August at the church of S. Domenico. On July 19, S. Stefano del Lupo is honored with a solemn procession. The living nativity on December 26 takes place among traditional huts and ends with a torchlight procession.
Since 1981, the “Marcialonga”, an 11 km race in the woods, is held in August. On June 13, the “Asta di S. Antonio” features an auction of local products and small blessed animals. The night between November 1st and 2nd, “La Mort’ Cazzuta” is celebrated, with plates of “sagne e jierve” left for the dead and carved pumpkins to scare the living.
Carovilli is famous for dairy products, mushrooms and truffles. A typical dish is the “lsconda maritieta”, bread fried in lard after being dipped in egg.