Forging Festival

The festival that tells the soul of Frosolone

In Frosolone, a small village in the province of Isernia in Molise, steelworking is not just any craft: it is the very identity of the town. Known as the "Italian Toledo," Frosolone is the only center in Southern Italy specializing in the production of knives and scissors, with a tradition that scholars believe dates back to the Lombard era. The Forging Festival is the moment when this heritage leaves the workshops and is showcased to the public.

The forge in the square

During the event, a true cutler's workshop is recreated in the heart of the historic center according to ancient tradition. Master artisans reproduce all the stages of production live: forging the iron, creating the Damascus steel bars from which the blades are made, tempering, and grinding. Amidst the glow of the forge and the rhythmic sound of the anvil, visitors witness ancient gestures that have retained their charm intact.

A calendar of artisan events

The Forging Festival is part of Frosolone's rich summer program, closely linked to the National Exhibition Market of Scissors and Knives (Lam'Arte), which transforms the village alleys into a showcase of cutler excellence every August, and to the town's other festivals. Together, they create an August entirely dedicated to artisan know-how and the culture of artistic blades.

Why it's worth the trip

Few places in Italy still allow you to see a blade forged today using the techniques of the past. In Frosolone, this craft is alive, preserved by masters who pass it down from generation to generation. The Forging Festival is an opportunity to experience firsthand one of the rarest artisan heritages in Southern Italy.