Origins
The origins of Filignano are lost in the Middle Ages.
What is certain is that the “Chronicon Vulturnense”, an ancient chronicle written by the monks of S.Vincenzo Abbey (XII century), reports of document of July 962 regarding a settlement named Fundiliano; the name was later changed in Fondemano.
It was part of the dominions of the powerful Abbey of San Vincenzo, as demonstrated by some fortifications were built in that period.
Cerasuolo, one of the current boroughs, is similarly named in 962, when the Abbot rented it to be cultivated.
Several feudal events brought Filignano to the Montaquila family and then to the dukes of Miranda who kept it until the end of feudal rule. The feudal lords of Filignano promoted colonization since the XVI century, especially by peasants coming from the Comino valley, who built most o f the existing boroughs.
Filignano was part of the Terra di Lavoro province of the Kingdom od Naples. In 1807, being a borough of nearby Pozzilli, was under the jurisdiction of the District of Piedimonte and the Governo (then Circondario, then again Mandamento) of Venafro. In 1840 it was declared an autonomous Comune and in 1861 was included in the Province of Molise.
In the aftermath of the Italian unification, Filignano was involved in the fights with organized bands of outlaws (briganti) that plaghe most of Southers Italy at the time. Looting and killings were common, as well as shootings between the outlaws and the National Guard. The army was in charge of the repression and its officers often ordered executions with no trial or formal charges.
In 1882 the town grew with the accession of Cerasuolo, which till then had been part of the Comune of Rocchetta. Meanwhile, heavy emigration started, first to the Americas, then to central Europe.
Around the end of World War II Filignano found itself on the “Gustav Line”, which the Germans had fortified to cover their retreat to Cassino. All the boroughs knew the death and devastation of war.