Perched on a tuff cliff, Castellino del Biferno dominates the valley of the same name. The town suffered severe damage from the 2002 earthquake, with part of the historic center rebuilt and other areas still in ruins. Due to frequent landslides, it is known as “the town that moves”. To overcome this instability, during the fascist period the agglomeration of Castellino Nuovo was built on land expropriated from the nearby municipality of Petrella Tifernina.
The origins of the village date back to before the year 1000, when the local populations took refuge on the “rupe delle Cucciole” to escape the barbarian and Saracen incursions. Over the centuries, Castellino belonged to various noble families, including the D’Evoli, the De Capua and the Caracciolo, up to the last feudal lord, Scipione di Sangro. Today it is a quiet village that comes alive in the summer with festivals and cultural events.
Among the places of interest, the church of San Pietro in Vincoli stands out, which houses a baptismal font under the statue of San Giovanni, a confessional and a wooden choir from 1812. Not far from the village, the church of Madonna delle Grazie, dating back to the 14th century, houses a stone slab with the imprint of a horseshoe. According to legend, Antonio Romacieri, custodian of the Palazzo Ducale, tried to enter the church on horseback to escape a storm, but the threshold gave way and a hoof remained imprinted in the stone.
The municipal library hosts an exhibition dedicated to craftsmanship and peasant civilization, with objects that tell the story of the village’s past. Castellino was known for its stonecutters whose works, including portals in white and ash stone, are still visible in the town center.
Local traditions are alive during the festivities: in Sant’Antonio Abate the “ricciata” is prepared, while at Carnival a parade of masks is held. The most famous event is “U’ Pizzicantò”, a competition during the feast of Saint Anthony of Padua, in which teams of 13 participants form a human pyramid and walk through the streets of the town, concluding with a party if the structure remains standing.