The Hamlets within the Matese park

If you want to discover the area of the Matese park, don’t miss the beautiful and evocative mountain hamlets where time passes slowly, air and nature are unpolluted, and the food is homemade with 0 km products.

North of the Matese park, there is the small hamlet of Fontegreca that houses less than 1000 residents; an evocative place like no other, with its rural houses and its narrow streets.

Here, within the Zappini wood, there is the Cipresseta di Fontegreca, a wood where the cypresses are immune to the dangerous “bark canker” that affects this kind of trees all over the Mediterranean area, that’s why the Cipresseta trees are still being studied.

A place of nature and peace, where you can visit a small shrine dedicated to the Madonna dei cipressi (Cypresses Virgin Mary) and the Colle Bralle holiday farm that is surrounded by nature.

The small medieval hamlet of Prata Sannita, not far from Fotengreca, is dominated by the Pandone castle that dates back to the 14th century. You can visit the castle if you want, but advance reservations are required.

After the castle there is a Roman bridge over the Lete river and a small restaurant, the Chiosco al Ponte restaurant, with picnic tables that you can rent for € 10,00 and a playground for children.

Offering mountain views, Masseria Mastrangelo in Prata Sannita offers accommodation, a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk, a bar, a garden and a terrace. WiFi is free. All accommodation comes with a private bathroom with a shower, a hairdryer and free toiletries.

In the hamlet of Castello del Matese, right above Piedimonte Matese, there are the ruins of a Medieval castle and Norman towers that offer a great view on the Valle del Torano (Torano Valley). In August, the town hosts the Giostra medievale (Medieval jousting), with three city quarters  competing for the town’s banner.

The town offers several must-do activities, such as the “A Castello si vola” zip-line over the valley, and the sentiero del Torano (Torano path) that starts in Piedimonte Matese and goes through the evocative Valle dell’Inferno (Hell’s Valley).

Located in Castello del Matese, Agriturismo Falode offers a shared lounge, a bar, luggage storage, a restaurant and rooms with a patio with mountain views.
The rooms feature a TV, desk and private bathroom.

The hamlet of San Potito Sannitico houses the ruins of the Terme di Ercole (Hercules Thermal Baths); this hamlet is famous for its beautiful historic centre where history meets innovation thanks to the street art decorating the city streets.

Proceeding southward, you will reach the hamlet of Gioia Sannitica. Here there is a gate that leads to the archaeological area keeping the ruins of a Norman castle that are arranged as if it were a maze.

Set in Gioia Sannitica, Anima Antiqua Relais & Spa offers accommodation with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden and a restaurant.
The rooms in the resort are air conditioned and equipped with a desk, a safe, a flat-screen TV, a terrace and a private bathroom with bidet. The rooms are provided with a fridge