Overview
You are almost on the border with Molise and if you look up, you will see Dogliola, a tiny village in the folds of a rocky spur, on the left side of the Trigno valley. Trigno is the river that divides the two regions.
Its origins are mysterious even though, in some parts of the territory, there is evidence of the existence of villas and residences dating back to the late Roman Empire. In the Monte Moro area an extensive necropolis has surfaced with various grave goods.
The earliest verified sources are from the 12th century when the castle and community of Dogliola were donated in 1115 by Ugo di Grandinato to Giovanni, the abbot of Sant'Angelo in Cornacchiano, to whom the citizens rebelled after some time. The authority was only reestablished with the help granted to the Benedictine monks by the vassals of Palmoli, a few kilometres away.
All of the Middle Ages that exists in this town can be seen in its fortifications and houses, which are close to each other like a mesh and disposed in a thorn-like arrangement with respect to the main road axis. The settlement of later periods, on the other hand, is more "relaxed", arranging itself around Piazza San Rocco, along the three road axes connecting with neighboring towns.
The Palazzo della Fazia, which incorporated the structures of the ancient castle in the 16th century, stands at the gateway to the village and is now a private residence.
Along the access road again, take a look at the Old Fountain, of archaic origins, which has undergone various conservation interventions, so that it now appears modern.
Go ahead and spot the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie or San Rocco, that was built starting in 1805, with its façade adorned by a simple portal; inside, notice the neoclassical-style stucco work, the paintings made by Nicola Sigismondi of Lanciano, and the wooden sculptures dating from the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
We would say that the village's cultural heritage finishes here but there is a whole other world to explore: the intangible world of rituals and folklore, about which Dogliola is well prepared.
If you're in the area in August, don't miss the Sagra de "L' Turc'nill", which are typical Dogliola sweets made of hand-twisted dough and fried, or the Festa del Grano, "d'lu Ganopp'l'", with a parade of floats, costumed period characters and a final offering of typical products to taste, such as the traditional "Pallotte cace e ove", which are meatballs with bread, cheese and eggs.
In honor of San Giuseppe, on the other hand, l'pan'ttoll", which are delicious loaves of bread typical of Dogliola, are distributed.