Ripalimosani

There are several artistic and architectural testimonies in this interesting authentic Molise village. See the Mother Church of Santa Maria Assunta, the Marchesale palace, the small and charming church of Santa Maria della Neve, and much more.

What to see in Ripalimosani
In the heart of Ripalimosani stands the 15th-century Mother Church of Santa Maria Assunta. It is a majestic Baroque-style structure situated at the top of a flight of steps and with a bell tower about 40 meters high. Inside, the church jealously guards a prestigious eighteenth-century choir, a precious Renaissance wooden pulpit, and the tertiary of the Holy Shroud. The latter was painted back in the 1500s and meticulously mirrors the measurements of the original Shroud.

A few steps from the Mother Church of Santa Maria Assunta is a historic landmark for the village: the Palazzo Marchesale. Commonly called the Castle, built around the year 1000, it was the living quarters of the local lords who succeeded each other over the centuries and who left important records of the "life" of the castle.
Inside the palace it is still possible to admire the pulleys of the old drawbridge and the prisons located in the basement. Also of particular interest are the hanging garden, the first-floor representation rooms and the second-floor rooms originally reserved for servants.

Once in Ripalimosani, a visit to the San Pier Celestino Convent, one of the oldest convents in Molise, is also suggested. Outstanding works such as the frescoes of the Madonna delle Grazie and Santa Maria degli Angeli are preserved here. Other highlights of the monastery are the choir and cloister. In the locality of Quercigliole, a few kilometers from the town, on the other hand, is the small Church of Santa Maria della Neve, known in the area because the feast of the Madonna della Neve is celebrated here on August 12.
The historic center of the ancient village, the hills, rivers and green meadows of the surrounding areas then lend themselves to many pleasant excursions.

Demonstrations and events
On August 12 each year, the small and ancient Church of Santa Maria della Neve opens its doors wide for the Feast of Our Lady of the Snow. This is a festivity that is deeply felt by the area and the people. In fact, on this occasion there are many visitors who want to take part in the event, especially during the religious procession and the impressive horse race.
The latter is attended by the different districts of the town, and the winner is given the honor of entering the church with his or her horse and having it kneel before the Holy Mother. Combined with the exciting Palio delle Contrade, the feast of Our Lady of the Snow has thus become a true excellence of the Molise village.

In addition to this important event, Ripalimosani also hosts during the year the patronal feast of St. Michael, scheduled for Sept. 29, the folkloric event of the Masquerade of Ripalimosani, the local carnival, and the charming Christmas markets. During the holiday season, the markets enliven the streets of the town with an explosion of colors and sounds to the delight of children and adults alike.
This evocative series of events, together with the various artistic and architectural testimonies, make the Molise village interesting at any time of the year.

Food and wine and crafts in Ripalimosani
The flavors of Ripalimosani's cuisine are enhanced by the excellent oil produced in the area and the production of special wines, among the reds the Aglianico, Montepulciano and Sangiovese and the whites the Trebbiano and Malvasia.

In Ripalimosani it is hard to resist a plate of "tacozze," a homemade pasta made with a rather hard dough composed of flour, eggs and salt that is then rolled out not too thinly and cut into the shape of medium-sized diamond shapes. According to ancient tradition, this pasta is cooked and served with a typical mixed meat sauce and grated pecorino cheese. A real local delicacy not to be missed. Highly tasty are also the cheeses, made with genuine milk and processed with traditional methods.

Among the various craft activities in the village, Ripalimosani is characterized by hemp processing. Referred to as "the village of the rope makers," the first production of hemp seems to date back to 1860, later this activity was hit by a period of crisis due to heavy emigration, but in recent years there was an important recovery and as of today it seems to be once again an industry with positive prospects.

Until the last century, the village was also characterized by string-making, a craft that has now disappeared, but which has a long tradition in plectrum instruments such as the mandolin. Today this ancient tradition is kept alive thanks to the Mandolin School of the local Circolo Musicale "Pietro Mascagni" founder of the so-called "Ripese school."