Pesche, with its small houses perched on the side of Monte San Marco, seems to cling to the mountain. This characteristic earned it the nickname “Italy’s Library” from King Victor Emmanuel, because of the arrangement of the houses resembling shelves full of books. Today, the village is also known as the “crib town” because of its charming appearance.
Pesche’s origins date back to the 5th century, when it was known as Sant’Angelo di Isernia. After the barbarian invasions, the inhabitants moved to an area called Le Peschie, a term that recalls the rocks in the area. Over time the village came under the rule of various noble families, up to the Grimaldis.
The village offers numerous points of interest. At the base of the village is the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary (1593), with a fine high altar and two simple naves. Also of great charm is the Church of Santa Maria dei Bagni, which houses a 1500s painting of the Madonna del Bagno.
Ascending, one reaches a scenic little square where five stationary crosses, probably dating from the 1700s, stand out. At the top of the village, the remains of the Norman castle offer a breathtaking view that sweeps from the Matese to the Mainarde Mountains, overlooking Isernia.
The surrounding area is rich in nature and since 1982 has been home to the Pesche Oriented Nature Reserve, which covers about half of the municipality. Perfect for hiking and outdoor activities, the reserve is an ideal way to end a visit to the village.
Local handicrafts, although less widespread than in the past, still preserve ancient traditions in woodworking, with carvings, mosaics and the production of furniture.
Gastronomy, too, reflects the peasant roots of the place. Typical dishes include “pizza calla e m’nestra,” a flatbread made of broken cornmeal and combined with seasonal vegetables. Other specialties include “sagne e fagioli,” prepared with a rich sauce of pork rinds, ears and pigs’ feet. For desserts, “pine cone” is an Easter tradition: a fluffy sponge cake with double cream, classic and chocolate, coated with “naspr,” an egg white and sugar glaze. In the past, the cake was given by the groom to his future wife, who returned a piece to the groom’s family.