 Territory:
A region of hills and mountains, facing the Adriatic Sea, north of the
Gargano promontory. It is a continuation of Abruzzo’s landscape, and inn
fact Abruzzo and Molise constituted a single administrative district until
1963. Among the southern regions, it is one of the richest in waterways,
which cross the land from the Apennine watershed to the Adriatic Sea. Other
rivers, affluents of Volturno, flow into the Tyrrhenian Sea, after crossing
the region of Campania.
Cities: The capital of Molise is Campobasso. Isernia is the
capital of the respective province.
Art: Molise stands out in the history of the Italian art, thanks
to the cycle of ninth-century frescoes of the crypt of San Lorenzo in San
Vincenzo al Volturno. This cycle represents, for style and age, a unique
event of noteworthy value. The monuments in Romanesque style show traces of
the influence of the adjoining Apulia region. The examples of medieval
architecture are very interesting. The Baroque style, with Roman and
Neapolitan influences, can be seen in the civic palaces.
To be visited: In Campobasso, visitors can admire the historic
center and the majestic battlemented castle of the Longobard period; the
Romanesque churches of San Bartolomeo and San Giorgino. The church of Sant
Antonino Abate houses the collection of carvings and wooden sculptures of
sixteenth-century masters of Molise. About fifteen kilometers from the city,
rises the Romanesque Santa Maria della Strada, with the fifteenth-century
Gothic sepulchre. In Isernia, the Civic Museum holds Samnitic epigraphs and
sculptures; the fourteenth-century Fontana della Fraterna is also very
interesting. In Pastena, tourists can admire the monumental Sanctuary of the
Addolorata of Castelpetroso, surrounded by a thick forest.
A region of hills and mountains, facing the Adriatic Sea, north of the
Gargano promontory. Among the southern regions, it is one of the richest in
waterways.
CAMPOBASSO
The origins of this town go back to the Samnite period, when the place
was chosen for greater military control of the territory. As regional
capital of Molise, Campobasso preserves a lovely historic centre with
typical medieval features dating back to the period of the powerful Monforte
family.Visit the Monforte Castle and the Romanesque churches of San
Bartolomeo and San Giorgino. Sights worth seeing include the Samnite Museum
and the Fair of the Mysteries. The church of Sant Antonino Abate houses the
collection of carvings and wooden sculptures of sixteenth-century masters of
Molise. About fifteen kilometers from the city, rises the Romanesque Santa
Maria della Strada, with the fifteenth-century Gothic sepulchre.
ISERNIA
The second city of Molise has a beautiful Cathedral and an interesting
14th century fountain, Fontana della Fraterna. The Civic Museum holds
Samnitic epigraphs and sculptures.
Termoli: the most important town of the province of Campobasso, visit the
ancient walls constructed by Emperor Frederick and the massive
sixteenth-century castle that looms over the sea. And everywhere in Molise,
nature seems to keep watch over history, preserving memories. As in the
esplanade at Sepino, whose archaeological zone testifies to the ancient
Roman colony, and in the vicinity of Pietrabbondante, where another
interesting archaeological site recalls the remote existence of the Sannites,
an ancient Italic people which dared to challenge and fight the power of
Rome.
Matese mountain range: offers nature lovers hidden wonders. The unspoiled
beauty of the WWF Nature Reserve in Guardiaregia offers caves in the heart
of the mountain ideal for excursions.
Molise stands out in the history of the Italian art, thanks to the cycle
of ninth-century frescoes of the crypt of San Lorenzo in San Vincenzo al
Volturno. This cycle represents, for style and age, a unique event of
noteworthy value.
In Pastena, tourists can admire the monumental Sanctuary of the
Addolorata of Castelpetroso, surrounded by a thick forest.
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