Ru Carnevale re Sernia — The Gate of Hell
The dialectal masquerade of the Devil and the souls of Isernia
About Ru Carnevale re Sernia
A Historic Dialectal Masquerade
'Ru Carnevale re Sernia' is the traditional dialectal masquerade of Isernia, the capital of the homonymous province in Molise. The performance, titled 'La Porta dell'Inferno' (The Gate of Hell), stages the Devil opening the gates of hell before the souls of the city, in a theatrical procession of about twenty characters that blends satire, dialect, and collective memory.
Origins in the Twenties
The tradition originated in the late 1920s from the script by Giotto De Matteis, and today it is revived as a moment of identity that reconnects the citizens to their roots through participatory theatre. The script, in the Isernia dialect, is a classic of the city's Carnival.
The Procession and the Show
The parade starts from Palazzo San Francesco and crosses the historic center to Piazza Celestino V, where the final show takes place. The event is organized by the Municipality of Isernia together with the Pro Loco Città di Isernia and the historical re-enactment association ARSIS, with direction by Emilia Vitullo and music by Piero Ricci.
Ru Carnevale re Sernia — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Isernia dialectal masquerade took place on February 17th, Shrove Tuesday. The procession of about twenty characters — featuring the Devil before the Gate of Hell and the souls of Isernia — started from Palazzo San Francesco and concluded with the show in Piazza Celestino V. Direction and prologue were by Emilia Vitullo, music by Piero Ricci, and costumes by Emilia Leone.
Programme Ru Carnevale re Sernia 2026
Tuesday, February 17 (Shrove Tuesday)
- 5:00 PM — Costume registration at the Town Hall (entrance from Rampa Purgatorio)
- 5:30 PM — Start of the procession from Palazzo San Francesco
- 6:00 PM — Final show in Piazza Celestino V with the Devil, the Gate of Hell, and the souls of Isernia
Direction and prologue: Emilia Vitullo; music: Piero Ricci; costumes: Emilia Leone. In case of bad weather, the show will be moved to the Auditorium '10 Settembre 1943' at the same time.
Highlights Ru Carnevale re Sernia 2026
Prices Ru Carnevale re Sernia 2026
Practical information — Ru Carnevale re Sernia
How to get there
Isernia is reachable by train (Rome-Campobasso/Isernia line) and by car from the SS17 and SS650 Trignina. The procession takes place in the historic center.
When
Shrove Tuesday (February 17th in 2026), from late afternoon.
Admission
Free admission. In case of bad weather, the show will be moved to the Auditorium '10 Settembre 1943'.
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Where does it take place — Ru Carnevale re Sernia
Centro storico di Isernia — Piazza Celestino V
Piazza Celestino V, 86170 Isernia