Spinete, a small medieval village nestled between hills and woods, overlooks the Matese valleys. Its origins date back to the Samnites, who settled there along the Pescasseroli-Candela sheep track until the Roman conquest. Some archaeological finds suggest that, after the submission, they moved to the Masseria Strada Vecchia district. Over the centuries, the fiefdom changed hands several times, until the Imperato family, the last holder before the abolition of feudalism.
After the unification of Italy, the state-owned lands were assigned to farmers, many of whom moved near the fields, giving rise to thirteen villages. During the Second World War, Spinete was occupied by the Germans and liberated on October 24, 1943 by Canadian troops who averted an imminent bombing.
Among the historic buildings, the Palazzo Marchesale stands out, once a Norman fortress and then the noble residence of the Imperato family. Damaged by several earthquakes, it is now divided into two parts: an older one in dark stone and a more recent one in light stone.
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta, built in 1241, has undergone several renovations over the centuries. Legend has it that the last marquise, Elisa Francipani, attended religious services from a private passageway that connected her house to the left nave. In the 18th century it was expanded to three naves and, after the 2001 earthquake, restored.
Two other churches characterize the town: San Pietro Apostolo, mentioned as early as 1309, simple and with a single nave, built to serve the lower part of the village, and the Church of San Giovanni Battista, the largest country church in Molise, built to honor the patron saint. Numerous miracles are attributed to him, including the protection of the town from bombings during the war.
The people of Spinete celebrate San Giovanni Battista on June 24th with a heartfelt celebration, while in August the Pro Loco organizes the “Estate Spinetese”, full of cultural and gastronomic events. Spinete is renowned for its truffles, especially the white one. Among the local specialties, impaniccia and taccuzzelle with beans stand out, dishes not to be missed by those visiting the town.