Molise Italian Studies is proud to announce we have adopted a cow—ciao, Mootilda! Miss Moooo is a collaborative project from Azienda Agricola d’Alessandro and Il Parco delle Morge to help support both the farm’s cows and the park’s tourism and maintenance.
The Morge—literally, “large stones”—are a series of rocky formations jutting from the Earth throughout central Molise, especially between Salcito, Trivento, and Pietracupa. About 65 million years old and covered with the fossil remains of marine mollusks, the Cenozoic rocks have served as homes and refuges since at least the Middle Ages, and many towns in Molise developed on or around them.
History
The most famous of the morge is the Morgia of Pietravalle (better known as the Morgia dei Briganti) in the territory of Salcito. The use of the toponym “Petramvaldam” dates the settlement of Pietravalle to the late 12th century, though a nearby rural church was already in ruins by 1677 and the fiefdom was later reported as uninhabited. Records from 1780 reveal the presence of “three guardians” who watched over the fields, and it is possible to assume that they at least occasionally occupied the cavities of the morge, as was likely of brigands in the mid-19th century.
It is unclear why the settlement was abandoned while others nearby transformed into villages, but one answer could be the migration of the occupants towards Salcito due to the presence of the Celano-Foggia tratturo (an ancient transhumance route for shepherds and their sheep) that crossed the town.
Characteristics
The rocky spur, about 55 meters (180 feet) high, has 18 artificial cavities distributed over 4 levels. To the west, a vertical surface, specially cut into the rock bank, shows holes to accommodate the beams of a roof. Over time, the cavities were used as shelters, stables, lookout points, and for the and collection of water. On some walls are traces left by tools such as hammers and chisels, the result of more detailed workmanship compared to earlier iterations.
Recovery
The Morgia dei Briganti, after being abandoned, was recovered thanks to the work of the Ciccarella family, part of a 2007-2013 regional project aimed at the protection and redevelopment of rural heritage. The interventions ensured the conservation and improvement of the landscape while minimizing the insertion of modern architectural elements, with the goal of reconnecting an ancient peasant civilization with the agricultural landscape of Salcito, as well as increasing the visibility and enjoyment of an underappreciated site utterly representative of Molise’s territory. You can now visit the park the next time you are in Molise!
Adopt a Cow!
Azienda Agricola d’Alessandro is a family-run business, operating for three generations in Torella del Sannio, where their cows graze along the Lucera-Castel di Sangro tratturo. The company focuses on the production of quality milk through careful breeding and by managing their fields and crops to guarantee a healthy diet for the cows. Their mission is to offer a 360-degree experience in nature—eating genuine food and spending moments of tranquility in contact with the greenery and animals at on their land.
If you are interested in adopting a Molisani cow of your own and supporting Il Parco delle Morge, all you need is a bank transfer of 60 euros, 45 of which will go towards the maintenance and nutrition of “your” cow, while 15 will go to the tourism project of the Morge Park. By adopting a cow, you will also be entitled to receive 45 euros worth of dairy products (including fresh and aged cheeses, ricotta, and more) if you visit your cow in person.
This article was adapted, in part, from an article on Turismo in Molise by our good friend and partner, Paolo Pasquale—engineer, amateur astronomer, travel designer, and expert on his beloved Molise.
Also thanks to Guida Turistica del Molise.
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