Agnone

The Marinelli foundry in Agnone has cast bells since around the year 1000 and is usually described as one of the oldest continuously operating family businesses in the world, run by the same family across generations. It holds a papal privilege allowing it to use the crossed keys on its bells, granted in the thirteenth century. Bells are still cast by the lost-wax method in clay moulds built up by hand, and the foundry runs a museum where the process and historic bells are shown; castings can sometimes be watched. Agnone also has a long copper-working tradition and a fire festival, the Ndocciata, held in December.

The main sights

• The Marinelli foundry - bell casting by one family since about the year 1000.
• The papal keys - a privilege allowing the emblem on its bells.
• The lost-wax process - clay moulds built by hand in the workshop.
• The Ndocciata - a December fire procession through the town.

When to go

May to October for the town; the Ndocciata falls in December. Foundry visits are guided and best booked, and a casting is not always in progress.

What to expect

Casting is not scheduled for visitors, so a pour may not be happening. Agnone is remote with slow roads and little public transport.

Nearby

Isernia lies south; the Abruzzo mountains rise west.