Castelpetroso (Molise)

Castelpetroso is a town in the Province of Isernia in the Italian region Molise. Around the year 1,000, the village was known as the "Colle Petroso". Only later, in the Lombard period, was the castle built and the town called "Castrum Pedroso". The historic center of Castelpetroso is a clear example of a medieval village, with its castle, tiny squares and small, charming streets. The castle stands on a true natural fortress, already used by the Samnites as point of military observation. Today the fortress retains the square shape. The most important sight is the Maria Santissima Addolorata di Castelpetroso church. According to the testimony of the visionaries, the Virgin Mary first appeared March 22, 1888 to two shepherdesses named Serafina and Bibiana in Cesa tra Santi, on the slopes of Mount Patalecchia. This first appearance was followed by others and a phenomenon was recognized as the result. The sanctuary, which began with the laying of the cornerstone took place September 28, 1890 and completed in 1975, is built in the Gothic Revival style.