The Marinelli pontifical foundry, active for a thousand years
In the mountains of upper Molise, at about 800 metres, Agnone is a historic town famous throughout the world for its bells: here the Pontificia Fonderia Marinelli has been operating for many centuries, one of the oldest family businesses in the world, whose activity, according to tradition, goes back about a thousand years, while documents attest to the presence of the Marinelli family as bell founders since the fourteenth century. In 1924, Pope Pius XI granted the foundry the right to use the papal coat of arms, hence the title of "Pontificia". Marinelli bells ring in churches all over the world, from St Peter's in Rome to New York and Jerusalem, and some were made for special occasions, such as the Jubilees.
The bells are still made today with the ancient technique of lost-wax casting, entirely by hand: the craftsmen model the shape in clay and wax, decorate it with inscriptions and reliefs, cover it with a clay mantle, and then pour in the molten bronze, while a priest blesses the casting, an emotional moment which can sometimes be witnessed. The Museo Storico della Campana "Giovanni Paolo II", next to the foundry, displays ancient bells, moulds and tools and tells the story of this art. Agnone is also famous for the "'Ndocciata", held on Christmas Eve, when hundreds of men carry huge torches of fir wood, called "ndocce", in a procession of fire through the streets, a spectacular rite of ancient origin. The town also has a tradition of copper and gold crafts and of cheeses, such as caciocavallo.
Tip: book the guided visit to the foundry and museum; come on 24 December to see the 'Ndocciata.
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