Water sources were essential to everyday life in the countryside. Whether wells, collection basins—called peschére in local dialect—or fountains—known as pile—with adjoining washhouses and troughs, they served both practical and social purposes. People came to fetch water, but also to meet, talk, exchange news, and strengthen community bonds—especially the women, who gathered there daily.

The countryside around Pietrelcina is dotted with monumental pile—rural fountains—each with its own quiet beauty.

Today, the image of women gracefully balancing clay jars or copper tubs on their heads belongs to the past. Yet these fountains still speak to us, preserving a heritage that is central to our identity.

Pietrelcina’s rural fountains are the focus of many preservation and promotion efforts by the local Archeoclub. One of these is the “Fountain Bike,” a cycling route that offers a unique way to discover the area’s beauty.