Montecilfone, situated on a hill near the coast and the Biferno River, is one of Molise’s four Albanian minority towns. Its Arbëreshë community originated in the 15th century when many Albanians fled Turkish persecution, maintaining language and traditions to this day.
The first records of the village date back to 1102 under the name Mons Gilliani, which became Montecilfone in 1608. The area has yielded numerous Roman artifacts, including coins of Caligula, a pentagonal tombstone, bronze and silver statuettes, tombs, and terracotta vases.
During the Middle Ages Montecilfone is mentioned in the Angevin period for the presence of a grange in the Corundoli woods linked to the Order of Malta. The fort was destroyed, and in 1442, with the advent of the Aragonese, it passed to the feudal lords of Alfonso I. In 1764 it became the possession of the Marquis d’Avalos of Vasto, remaining in the family until the abolition of feudalism in 1806. In that year Montecilfone became a municipality and was included in the district of Larino.
Prominent among the town’s main buildings is the Church of St. George, rebuilt in 1861 on a pre-existing structure. The church has a simple white-plastered gabled facade with a portal and oculus window. The bell tower, the only original element, has an arch at the base for access to the old village and a belfry decorated with battlements. The interior has a single nave, with a large historiated window depicting the Madonna Grande “Shermja Madhe,” venerated by the Molisan arbëreshës.
The town also preserves the castle with tower and the Ducal Palace, witnesses to its feudal history.
Montecilfone is known for its traditional cuisine, which includes droqe al ragù di agnello, a pasta similar to fusilli, the star of a festival on August 14. Also flourishing is the production of cured meats, including ventricina, soppressata and sausage.
Religious celebrations play a central role in village life. The procession for the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is held on August 16, while the patron saint St. George is celebrated with fairs, markets and events. Montecilfone represents a combination of history, tradition and gastronomic culture, preserving a unique identity in the Molise landscape.