The small mountain town was first mentioned in 724 AD, in a diploma byGrimoald II, Duke of Benevento.
Rivisondoli rose in the 12th century in a strategic position along an important military and commercial route, the "Via degli Abruzzi" and was renowned for its production of weapons. A fire almost completely destroyed the village in 1792. Subsequently, the establishment of the Sulmona-Isernia railway helped the development of tourism. In 1913 the Italian royal family had its residence here.