The earthquake of 1805 was a massacre in Molise but left Jelsi almost untouched: people took it for a miracle, and from that the wheat festival was born.
The town's oldest name is said to be Tibiczan, of Bulgarian origin, and from it came Gibbiza, Gilizza, Gelzi, Ielsi. Palazzo Valiante was burned by Bourbon troops in 1799; the lawyer Saverio rebuilt it to a design his son Andrea, exiled in Marseille, sent him from there. In 1821 it was Andrea himself who was captured in that house, hidden in a cavity in the wall reachable only from the roof. There are 1,797 residents.
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📅 Every year, on 30 November; Saint Anne, co-patron, is celebrated on 26 July with the famous wheat festival
Jelsi celebrates the apostle Saint Andrew on 30 November and Saint Anne, co-patron, on 26 July with the famous wheat festival, born as thanksgiving after the 1805 earthquake and now one of the most representative festivals of Molise.
Straight-line distances from the town centre. Tap a point to open its page.
The closest destinations covered by our editors, with straight-line distance.
Outside Jelsi, but an easy day trip away.
