# Province of Isernia > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Province_of_Isernia > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Province_of_Isernia.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Province_of_Isernia > Source revision: 1355101018 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Province of Italy Province in Molise, Italy Province of Isernia Provincia di Isernia (Italian) Province Lake of Castel San Vincenzo Flag Coat of arms Map highlighting the location of the province of Isernia in Italy Country Italy Region Molise Capital(s) Isernia Municipalities 52 Government • President Alfredo Ricci Area [1] • Total 1,535.24 km2 (592.76 sq mi) Population (2026)[2][3] • Total 78,217 • Density 50.948/km2 (131.95/sq mi) GDP [4] • Total €1.663 billion (2015) • Per capita €19,199 (2015) Time zone UTC+1 (CET) • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST) Postal code 86070-86071, 86073-86080, 86082-86099, 86170 Telephone prefix 086, 0865, 0874 Vehicle registration IS ISTAT 094 The **Province of Isernia** ([Italian](/source/Italian_language): *provincia di Isernia*) is a [province](/source/Provinces_of_Italy) in the region of [Molise](/source/Molise) in [southern](/source/Southern_Italy) [Italy](/source/Italy). The provincial capital is the city of [Isernia](/source/Isernia) and the president of the province is Alfredo Ricci.[5] The province has a population of 78,217 in an area of 1,535.24 square kilometres (592.76 sq mi) across its 52 municipalities.[6][7][1] ## History Isernia was known as *[Samnite](/source/Samnites) Aesernia* until it fell under [Roman rule](/source/Roman_Republic) in 263 BC. The territory was later given to [Alczeco](/source/Alcek) for his efforts against the Byzantines with his [Bulgarian](/source/Bulgars) military, by the [Duchy of Benevento](/source/Duchy_of_Benevento); most of this territory became Molise County. Throughout the 9th century the area was repeatedly sacked during Muslim invasions and suffered an earthquake in 847; these destroyed the cities of Isernia and [Venafro](/source/Venafro).[8] Despite this, the city was made an episcopal see and was granted the status of county in 964. A 1979 archaeological discovery near the city of Isernia found evidence of a settlement dating back to the [Palaeolithic](/source/Paleolithic) period over 736,000 years ago.[8] In Molise County, Benedictines formed the [San Vincenzo al Volturno](/source/San_Vincenzo_al_Volturno) monastery in the province of Isernia after Rome fell in 476. When the area was invaded by the Muslims, 500 to 900 monks were decapitated by them and many were taken as slaves; despite this, the monastery continued to function and reached its peak size during the eleventh and twelfth centuries. [Pope Celestine V](/source/Pope_Celestine_V) was born near Isernia and the province's feast day is on 19 May, the date Celestine V was canonized. An earthquake in 1805 destroyed Isernia's cathedral, which was rebuilt atop the ruins of the destroyed structure in 1837.[8] The province gained attention during the [COVID-19 pandemic in Italy](/source/COVID-19_pandemic_in_Italy), as by 15 March it was the only one of Italy's 110 provinces to not have a single confirmed case of the [COVID-19 virus](/source/COVID-19_virus).[9][10] ## Geography The Samnite amphitheatre of [Pietrabbondante](/source/Pietrabbondante) The province of Isernia is a largely mountainous area of Southern Italy, part of the region of [Molise](/source/Molise). To the southwest the mountains decrease in height and the wooded hills give way to the plains around [Venafro](/source/Venafro). To the northeast is the [province of Campobasso](/source/Province_of_Campobasso), also part of Molise, and to the north the [provinces of L'Aquila](/source/Province_of_L'Aquila) and [Chieti](/source/Province_of_Chieti), both in the region of [Abruzzo](/source/Abruzzo). To the west is the [province of Frosinone](/source/Province_of_Frosinone) in [Lazio](/source/Lazio) and to the south the [province of Caserta](/source/Province_of_Caserta) in [Campania](/source/Campania).[11] There are four mountain ranges in the province and the [Abruzzo National Park](/source/Parco_Nazionale_d'Abruzzo%2C_Lazio_e_Molise) straddles the border with Abruzzo. The highest peak in the province is [Monte Mare](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Monte_Mare&action=edit&redlink=1), 2,020 metres (6,627 ft). The main rivers are the [Volturno](/source/Volturno) which flows into the Tyrrhenian and the [Trigno](/source/Trigno) which flows into the [Adriatic](/source/Adriatic).[11] The lake of [Castel San Vincenzo](/source/Castel_San_Vincenzo) is a man-made reservoir built to power a hydroelectric scheme. The economy of the region has been traditionally based on agriculture. The holdings are mostly small and produce grapes, cereals, olives, vegetables, fruit and dairy products. Traditional products grown in the province include [grass peas](/source/Grass_pea) (*Lathyrus sativus*) and [farro](/source/Farro), which is made from a specialist form of wheat. [Tintilia](/source/Tintilia) grapes are grown for the production of the region's red wine, the "Tintilia del Molise".[12] ### Municipalities Main article: [List of municipalities of the province of Isernia](/source/List_of_municipalities_of_the_province_of_Isernia) - [Acquaviva d'Isernia](/source/Acquaviva_d'Isernia) - [Agnone](/source/Agnone) - [Bagnoli del Trigno](/source/Bagnoli_del_Trigno) - [Belmonte del Sannio](/source/Belmonte_del_Sannio) - [Cantalupo nel Sannio](/source/Cantalupo_nel_Sannio) - [Capracotta](/source/Capracotta) - [Carovilli](/source/Carovilli) - [Carpinone](/source/Carpinone) - [Castel del Giudice](/source/Castel_del_Giudice) - [Castel San Vincenzo](/source/Castel_San_Vincenzo) - [Castelpetroso](/source/Castelpetroso) - [Castelpizzuto](/source/Castelpizzuto) - [Castelverrino](/source/Castelverrino) - [Cerro al Volturno](/source/Cerro_al_Volturno) - [Chiauci](/source/Chiauci) - [Civitanova del Sannio](/source/Civitanova_del_Sannio) - [Colli a Volturno](/source/Colli_a_Volturno) - [Conca Casale](/source/Conca_Casale) - [Filignano](/source/Filignano) - [Forlì del Sannio](/source/Forl%C3%AC_del_Sannio) - [Fornelli](/source/Fornelli) - [Frosolone](/source/Frosolone) - [Isernia](/source/Isernia) - [Longano](/source/Longano) - [Macchia d'Isernia](/source/Macchia_d'Isernia) - [Macchiagodena](/source/Macchiagodena) - [Miranda](/source/Miranda%2C_Molise) - [Montaquila](/source/Montaquila) - [Montenero Val Cocchiara](/source/Montenero_Val_Cocchiara) - [Monteroduni](/source/Monteroduni) - [Pesche](/source/Pesche) - [Pescolanciano](/source/Pescolanciano) - [Pescopennataro](/source/Pescopennataro) - [Pettoranello del Molise](/source/Pettoranello_del_Molise) - [Pietrabbondante](/source/Pietrabbondante) - [Pizzone](/source/Pizzone) - [Poggio Sannita](/source/Poggio_Sannita) - [Pozzilli](/source/Pozzilli) - [Rionero Sannitico](/source/Rionero_Sannitico) - [Roccamandolfi](/source/Roccamandolfi) - [Roccasicura](/source/Roccasicura) - [Rocchetta a Volturno](/source/Rocchetta_a_Volturno) - [San Pietro Avellana](/source/San_Pietro_Avellana) - [Sant'Agapito](/source/Sant'Agapito) - [Sant'Angelo del Pesco](/source/Sant'Angelo_del_Pesco) - [Sant'Elena Sannita](/source/Sant'Elena_Sannita) - [Santa Maria del Molise](/source/Santa_Maria_del_Molise) - [Scapoli](/source/Scapoli) - [Sessano del Molise](/source/Sessano_del_Molise) - [Sesto Campano](/source/Sesto_Campano) - [Vastogirardi](/source/Vastogirardi) - [Venafro](/source/Venafro) ## Demographics As of 2026, the population is 78,217, of which 50.1% are male, and 49.9% are female. Minors make up 12.8% of the population, and seniors make up 28.5%.[13][14] ‹ The [template](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Template) *[Historical populations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Historical_populations)* is being [considered for merging](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Templates_for_discussion/Log/2026_June_24#Template:Infobox_demographics). › Historical population Year Pop. ±% 1861 125,745 — 1871 133,784 +6.4% 1881 130,396 −2.5% 1901 132,524 +1.6% 1911 130,904 −1.2% 1921 129,080 −1.4% 1931 116,547 −9.7% 1936 117,304 +0.6% Year Pop. ±% 1951 117,246 −0.0% 1961 105,801 −9.8% 1971 92,166 −12.9% 1981 92,524 +0.4% 1991 91,942 −0.6% 2001 89,852 −2.3% 2011 87,241 −2.9% 2021 80,564 −7.7% Source: ISTAT[15][16] ### Immigration As of 2025, of the known countries of birth of 76,917 residents, the most numerous are: [Italy](/source/Italy) (71,607 – 93.1%), [Romania](/source/Romania) (711 – 0.9%), [Morocco](/source/Morocco) (450 – 0.6%).[17][18] ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-area_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-area_1-1) ["Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011"](https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224) (in Italian). [ISTAT](/source/Italian_National_Institute_of_Statistics). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Resident population by age, sex and marital status on 1st January 2026"](https://demo.istat.it/app/?i=POS&l=en). *demo.istat.it*. [ISTAT](/source/Italian_National_Institute_of_Statistics). 2026-01-01. Retrieved 2026-04-01. (On the search form, choose the statistical region of the municipality in the Area section, the Region, the Province, and the name of the Municipality) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Resident population by age, sex and marital status on 1st January 2026"](https://demo.istat.it/data/posas/POSAS_2026_en_All_files.zip). *demo.istat.it*. [ISTAT](/source/Italian_National_Institute_of_Statistics). 2026-01-01. Retrieved 2026-04-01.The file URL linking on technical dataset. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-:0_4-0)** [Regions and Cities > Regional Statistics > Regional Economy > Regional Gross Domestic Product (Small regions TL3)](http://stats.oecd.org/), OECD.Stats. Accessed on 16 November 2018. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Presidenza della Provincia di Isernia: Alfredo Ricci batte il «centrodestra ufficiale» e vince la sfida con Felice Ianiro. Di Baggio: «Qualcuno aveva fatto i conti senza l'oste»"](https://www.primopianomolise.it/politica/province/80470/presidenza-della-provincia-di-isernia-alfredo-ricci-batte-il-centrodestra-ufficiale-e-vince-la-sfida-con-felice-ianiro-di-baggio-qualcuno-aveva-fatto-i-conti-senza-loste/). *PrimoPiano Molise* (in Italian). 2019-08-25. Retrieved 2020-01-09. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Resident population by age, sex and marital status on 1st January 2026"](https://demo.istat.it/app/?i=POS&l=en). *demo.istat.it*. [ISTAT](/source/Italian_National_Institute_of_Statistics). 2026-01-01. Retrieved 2026-04-01. (On the search form, choose the statistical region of the municipality in the Area section, the Region, the Province, and the name of the Municipality) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Resident population by age, sex and marital status on 1st January 2026"](https://demo.istat.it/data/posas/POSAS_2026_en_All_files.zip). *demo.istat.it*. [ISTAT](/source/Italian_National_Institute_of_Statistics). 2026-01-01. Retrieved 2026-04-01.The file URL linking on technical dataset. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-2002d_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-2002d_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-2002d_8-2) Roy Palmer Domenico (2002). *The Regions of Italy: A Reference Guide to History and Culture*. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 226–227. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-313-30733-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-313-30733-1). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Zunino, Corrado (15 March 2020). ["Coronavirus, il fortino di Isernia: "Siamo gli ultimi senza un contagio""](https://www.repubblica.it/cronaca/2020/03/15/news/coronavirus_la_resistenza_di_isernia_siamo_gli_ultimi_senza_un_contagio_-251344100/) [Coronavirus, the fortress of Isernia: "We are the last ones without an infection"]. *La Repubblica* (in Italian). Retrieved 15 March 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Isernia è l'unica provincia italiana senza casi positivi al coronavirus"](https://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/cronaca/isernia-lunica-provincia-italiana-senza-casi-positivi-al-coronavirus_16188194-202002a.shtml) [Isernia is the only Italian province without positive cases of coronavirus] (in Italian). TGCOM24. 15 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Atlas_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Atlas_11-1) *The Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World* (13 ed.). Times Books. 2011. p. 76. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780007419135](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780007419135). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Vino Tintilia del Molise"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180430203044/http://www.consorziovinimolise.centaurusweb.it/index.php/vino-tintilia-del-molise-doc). In vino veritas et benignitas. Archived from [the original](http://www.consorziovinimolise.centaurusweb.it/index.php/vino-tintilia-del-molise-doc) on 30 April 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Resident population by age, sex and marital status on 1st January 2026"](https://demo.istat.it/app/?i=POS&l=en). *demo.istat.it*. [ISTAT](/source/Italian_National_Institute_of_Statistics). 2026-01-01. Retrieved 2026-04-01. (On the search form, choose the statistical region of the municipality in the Area section, the Region, the Province, and the name of the Municipality) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Resident population by age, sex and marital status on 1st January 2026"](https://demo.istat.it/data/posas/POSAS_2026_en_All_files.zip). *demo.istat.it*. [ISTAT](/source/Italian_National_Institute_of_Statistics). 2026-01-01. Retrieved 2026-04-01.The file URL linking on technical dataset. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Popolazione residente dei comuni. Censimenti dal 1861 al 1991"](https://web.archive.org/web/20251112200324/https://ebiblio.istat.it/digibib/Censimenti%20popolazione/Censimentipopolazioneresidentedal1861/RML0050288Pop_res_cens_1861_1991.pdf) [Resident population of the municipalities. Censuses from 1861 to 1991] (PDF) (in Italian). [ISTAT](/source/National_Institute_of_Statistics_(Italy)). Archived from [the original](https://ebiblio.istat.it/digibib/Censimenti%20popolazione/Censimentipopolazioneresidentedal1861/RML0050288Pop_res_cens_1861_1991.pdf) (PDF) on 2025-11-12. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-timeseries_16-0)** ["Resident population - Time series"](https://esploradati.istat.it/databrowser/#/en/censpop/dashboards). [ISTAT](/source/National_Institute_of_Statistics_(Italy)). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Resident population by sex, municipality and individual citizenship or country of birth from year 2002"](https://demo.istat.it/app/?i=RCS&a=&l=en). *demo.istat.it*. [ISTAT](/source/Italian_National_Institute_of_Statistics). 2025-01-01. Retrieved 2025-02-27. (Click on 'View by country of birth', and on the search form, choose the statistical region of the municipality in the Area section, the Region, the Province, and the name of the Municipality) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Resident population by sex, municipality and individual citizenship or country of birth from year 2002"](https://demo.istat.it/data/rcs/Dati_RCS_nascita_2025.zip). *demo.istat.it*. [ISTAT](/source/Italian_National_Institute_of_Statistics). 2025-01-01. Retrieved 2025-02-27.The file URL linking on technical dataset. ## External links - [Official website](http://www.provincia.isernia.it/) v t e Molise Provinces and places Campobasso Isernia List of communes Politics and government Elections in Molise List of presidents of Molise Flag History Larinum Categories v t e Molise · Comuni of the Province of Isernia Acquaviva d'Isernia Agnone Bagnoli del Trigno Belmonte del Sannio Cantalupo nel Sannio Capracotta Carovilli Carpinone Castel San Vincenzo Castel del Giudice Castelpetroso Castelpizzuto Castelverrino Cerro al Volturno Chiauci Civitanova del Sannio Colli a Volturno Conca Casale Filignano Forlì del Sannio Fornelli Frosolone Isernia Longano Macchia d'Isernia Macchiagodena Miranda Montaquila Montenero Val Cocchiara Monteroduni Pesche Pescolanciano Pescopennataro Pettoranello del Molise Pietrabbondante Pizzone Poggio Sannita Pozzilli Rionero Sannitico Roccamandolfi Roccasicura Rocchetta a Volturno San Pietro Avellana Sant'Agapito Sant'Angelo del Pesco Sant'Elena Sannita Santa Maria del Molise Scapoli Sessano del Molise Sesto Campano Vastogirardi Venafro Authority control databases International VIAF GND WorldCat National Vatican Israel Geographic MusicBrainz area Other Yale LUX [41°39′N 14°16′E / 41.650°N 14.267°E / 41.650; 14.267](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Province_of_Isernia¶ms=41_39_N_14_16_E_region:IT_type:adm2nd_source:dewiki) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Province of Isernia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Province_of_Isernia) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Province_of_Isernia?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.