Historic rural landscape
The olive groves of Venafro
Terraced hillsides, dry-stone walls and olive trees that are centuries old: the first regional park of Molise protects a landscape shaped by two thousand years of olive growing.
The Park
Two thousand years of olive oil
Venafro’s olive oil was praised by Horace, Pliny and Cato, and the hillsides above the town still keep the terraces, paths and trees of that long history. The Park protects this historic rural landscape, listed in Italy’s National Register of Historic Rural Landscapes.
Walk the routes among the groves, meet the monumental olive trees, join a guided tour and taste the oil of local producers.
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Explore the Park
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History of the Venafro Olive
From Cato, Horace and Pliny to the travellers of the Grand Tour: two thousand years of writings on the olive groves and the celebrated oil o…
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Centuries-Old Olive Trees in Venafro
A survey of more than 200 large olive trees in the Park, recording their location, size and monumental value in order to protect them.
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The Olive Tree and Its Cultivars
The origins and botany of the olive tree, and the characteristics of the lesser-known native cultivars of the Venafro Olive Park.
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Environment
Monte Santa Croce and the mountains of the Park: historical remains, ancient olive cultivars, birds of prey, wildlife and woodland.
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Records and Curiosities
Historical and bibliographical research by Prof. Ferdinando Alterio: travellers, poets and ancient writers on the olive groves and the world…
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How to Visit the Park
Plan a day in Venafro: guided visits and tastings in the Olive Park, where to buy the oil and local products, where to eat and what to see i…
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Routes
The Park’s routes: the historic rural landscape exhibition, the Cathedral and historic centre, Le Noci and the Roman villas, and school rout…
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Points of Interest
The olive landscape, terraces and mule tracks, centuries-old olive trees, archaeological sites and the Garden of the Patriarch Olive Trees o…
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Surroundings
Nature reserves, parks, historic villages and wartime memorials within easy reach of Venafro, from Le Mortine to the Mainarde.
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Where to Stay
Hotels, B&Bs and historic residences in and around Venafro for your stay near the Olive Park.
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The Park Authority
The President, Board of Directors, auditor and administrative staff of the Regional Olive Park of Venafro Park Authority.
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Headquarters
The Park Authority’s offices in Via dei Mulini, Venafro, and the exhibition on the historic rural landscape at Palazzo Liberty.
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Contact
Get in touch with the Park Authority for information, to book a guided visit or to propose a collaboration.
The rest of the website — news, official notices and transparency documents — is available in Italian.
