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Molise is situated in central-southern Italy and lies between the Apennine ridge and the Adriatic Sea.
Nature, history, art, age-old traditions and good food are the treasures of this still largely undiscovered region.
Visiting Molise, you get that Eureka feeling of discovery, starting with its mainly mountainous and hilly lay-out, scored by the characteristic “tratturi”, the historic trails of seasonal migration of people and livestock, which join the pastures of Abruzzo to those of Puglia.
The National Park of Abruzzo, Latium and Molise reveals unexpected and magnificent landscapes, while the many nature reserves protect the vegetable and animal species representative of this area. Unspoilt nature frames the two most important ski resorts in the region: Campitello Matese and Capracotta.
The coast has sandy beaches, surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation, as well as a clean and limpid sea, that was awarded the European Blue Flag again this year.
Discover the thousand years of history behind this region and its culture by visiting its archaeological sites, abbeys, small towns and countless castles.
The survival of customs and traditions, of handicrafts and the old professions that have disappeared elsewhere, is a unique feature that makes Molise, just like the title of a book by the Italian writer Fogazzaro an “old-fashioned world”.
The region comprises the provinces of Campobasso (regional capital) and Isernia.
Your journey of discovery starts at Campobasso, a town steeped in history and culture, dominated by the imposing Monforte castle. Particularly significant is the Samnite Museum, with its displays featuring valuable exhibits from the civilisations that lived here precious vestiges of the peoples that inhabited the territory from early history to the Samnite period.
The historic town of Isernia is also engaging, with its thirteenth century fountain and ancient prehistoric site, just outside the built-up areas.
It is worth visiting the two small towns that even today hand down the ancient crafts: Agnone, specializing in the manufacture of bells for the world’s most significant churches, and Scapoli, the town renowned for bagpipes with a museum devoted entirely to this ancient musical instrument.
The region’s archaeological sites carry great significance. These include: the Samnite town of Pietrabbondante with its beautiful theatre, Sepino with the ruins of Roman buildings, and Larino, which combines valuable Roman remains with a magnificent example of medieval art - the Roman and Gothic-style cathedral.
Some other major towns are Termoli, tourist resort and port, with the stately Svevo Castle and the Romanesque cathedral, and Venafro, with the Pandone castle, the Romanesque and Gothic cathedral and Roman and pre-Roman archaeological discoveries.
The region boasts countless castles, like that of Pescolanciano, as well as a number of abbeys and sanctuaries, including the Benedectine Abbey at San Vincenzo al Volturno, the Sanctuary of the Addolorata, Castelpetroso and the Sanctuary of Canneto in Roccavivara.
Finally, some splendid examples of Romanesque architecture are the Church of St. George in Petrella Tifernina and the Church of Santa Maria della Strada in Matrice. A must for sports lovers is Campitello Matese, the ski resort in central-southern Italy with the most snow.
From the peaks of the Apennines to the coast, the uncontaminated natural environment of Molise is a perfect place to relax, play sport and go on excursions to the region’s most typical destinations.
Nature lovers can go walking or trekking in several protected areas: in the typical Apennine landscape of the National Park of Abruzzo, Latium and Molise, or in a diverse environment like that of the WWF Reserve in Guardaregia-Campochiaro, through woods, streams, gorges and falls.
Many hilly areas can be reached by mountain bike, but you can also take the scenic cycle routes along the coast. In the heart of nature you can also enjoy a new experience like a horse-ride along the “tratturi”, the migratory trails dating back a thousand years, testimony to the unique nature of Molise. In Pescolanciano, in several areas of Campobasso and around the region, these historic trails are a chance to dip into local history and culture.
The thrill of skiing high in the mountains is guaranteed by the system of slopes at Campitello Matese, the largest ski resort in Molise, as well as that of Capracotta, also renowned for its cross-country ski trails.
From Termoli to Campomarino, you can spend quiet holidays on the coast and have a go at every kind of water sport, amid wide and sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and modern facilities.
For lovers of good food, there are the food and wine trails starting out from the coast at the top Molise, passing through vineyards and picturesque small towns, stopping to taste the local wines and local produce, including the renowned white truffle of San Pietro Avellana.
Molise, a land of ancient traditions, offers several spiritual routes in beautiful natural environments to reach the Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Canneto in Roccavivara, or the fascinating Addolorata Sanctuary in the steep mountains of Castelpetroso.
Finally, you must not miss the many events and fairs that keep local traditions alive: the International Bagpipe Festival in Scapoli, the White Truffle Fair in San Pietro Avellana, traditional events like “La ‘Ndocciata”, a torch-lit procession in traditional dress that takes place every year in Agnone, Pezzata, the Lamb Festival in Capracotta, and many more besides.
In this agricultural land, regional food is based on locally grown produce and sheep farming, and is also influenced by the nearby regions. There are many typical dishes in Molise: from maccheroni alla chitarra to pallotte (round balls) of egg and cheese, pasta and beans, polenta, lamb and roast turcinelli (lamb offal).
Among the area’s best products , the extra virgin olive oil, Isenia truffle and durum wheat pasta stand out. There are several types of salami , including saggicciotti, liver sausage, ventricina salami and pampanera, oven-dried bacon with chilli pepper.
Dairy products are extremely popular in this region, in particular the caciocavallo and stracciata cheeses of Agnone and Alto Molise, fior di latte cow’s milk mozzarella from Boiano, buffalo mozzarella from Venafro and pecorino sheep’s cheese from Matera. Scamorza cheese and burrino, abutter filled cheese, are produced everywhere in Molise.
Local wines particularly Biferno and Pentro are excellent.
Among the typical desserts of Molise, top place goes to mostarda d’uva (jam made with grapes from the Molise countryside); then cauciuni (pastry filled with chickpeas), ostie farcite (wafers filled with walnuts and almonds), peccellate (pastry filled with grape syrup or jams) and cippillati (baked ravioli filled with sour black cherries) are the best way to end a good meal.
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