Frosolone
Comune
Comune di Frosolone
Coat of arms of Frosolone
Coat of arms
Location of Frosolone
Map
Frosolone is located in Italy
Frosolone
Frosolone
Location of Frosolone in Italy
Frosolone is located in Molise
Frosolone
Frosolone
Frosolone (Molise)
Coordinates: 41°36′N 14°27′E / 41.600°N 14.450°E / 41.600; 14.450
CountryItaly
RegionMolise
ProvinceIsernia (IS)
Government
 • MayorFelice Ianiro
Area
[1]
 • Total49.89 km2 (19.26 sq mi)
Elevation
894 m (2,933 ft)
Population
 (31 August 2017)[2]
 • Total3,175
 • Density64/km2 (160/sq mi)
DemonymFrosolonesi
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
86095
Dialing code0874
WebsiteOfficial website

Frosolone is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Isernia in the Italian region Molise, located about 20 kilometres (12 mi) west of Campobasso and about 20 kilometres (12 mi) east of Isernia. It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy").[3] Frosolone is known historically for the production of blades,[4] including knives and scissors, and is home to a museum dedicated to the craft.

Geography

Frosolone borders the following municipalities: Carpinone, Casalciprano, Civitanova del Sannio, Duronia, Macchiagodena, Molise, Sant'Elena Sannita, Sessano del Molise, Torella del Sannio.

History

Statue in Frosolone recognizing its blacksmithing tradition.

The region surrounding Frosolone was inhabited by members of the Sanniti and Osci Italic tribes, which were conquered by the Romans during the Samnite Wars. There are remnants of cyclopean walls built by the Samnites, locally called "Civitelle." As the name implies, they were likely part of a small fortress destroyed by the Roman Army probably in 293 BC; the historian Livy describes in this area the march of two Roman armies, headed by Spurius Carvilius Maximus and Lucius Papirius Cursor.

The first mention of the town's name is in a "diploma" dated 1064, by the Count of Isernia.

The church of Santa Maria Assunta is of medieval origin. Its construction was completed probably in 1309, when it was cited for the first time in a notarial deed. On December 5, 1456, the church was totally destroyed by the 1456 Central Italy earthquakes which had an epicenter in Frosolone. Reconstruction work ended in 1531, when it was consecrated.

Frosolone was victim to another earthquake on July 26, 1805, which destroyed most of the buildings in town and killed 518 people. In 1860, Frosolone was officially annexed by the Kingdom of Italy. In 1864 the Post Office was opened; in 1866 a kerosene public lighting system was installed at the then-large outlay of 4,000 lira.

Notable people

References

  1. ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ^ All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.
  3. ^ "Molise" (in Italian). Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Isernia Turismo - I Coltelli di Frosolone - Artigianato - Routes".
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