MOLISE

1. PREPARATORY VISIT 12th/15th JANUARY 2006 MOLISE

2. Molise …small but beautiful! • Campobasso • Termoli • Sepino-Altilia • Isernia • Cultural & traditional events • You can taste… • Postcards from Molise

3. Molise …small but beautiful! It is situated in the Southern part of Italy. The neighbouring regions are Apulia, Campania and Abruzzo. (200 Km from Naples and 250 Km from Rome) It is made up of two provinces: Campobasso (84 municipalities) Isernia (54 municipalities)

4. A slide with a view

5. Campobasso Campobasso, the chief town of Molise, is situated in the heart of the region at 700 metres above the sea level. It has about 52.000 inhabitants on a surface of 55 km2.

6. Of uncertain origin, the ancient village was developed around a longobartic castle  belonged to the counts of the Molise (the Monforte) and later to several noble families (Gonzaga, De Marinis, Carafa) until 1727, when it passed under the dominion of the Reign of Naples.

7. Terzano tower In 1732 the inhabitants pulled down the medieval walls and built up the new town, that was called Campus Bassus in order to distinguish it from the ancient center, called Campus de Prata.

8. The town keeps interesting monuments , the Monforte Castle, reconstructed by Cola of Monforte in 1459, and the church of Saint George (XII century). In the lower part we find the church of Sant'Antonio Abate (1572), the cathedral (1829), and the Museum of the Samnites.

9. Termoli Termoli is the most important town along the Molisan Adriatic coast During summer, it is a crowded holiday resort among Molisan and foreign tourists.

10. Sepino-Altilia Sepino is a delightful village in the district of Campobasso: it is one of the most interesting places of Molise surrounded by green mountains and beautiful hills. It has an important archaeological and tourist value for its Roman ruins and its beautiful landscape.

11. Founded as a municipium in the first century BC on the remains of a Samnite residential area built three centuries earlier, SAEPINIUM is surrounded by tall stone walls. Of the four access doors, the best preserved is the so-called “ Bojano door” on the west side. The most important ruins are the THERMAE, the forum, the fountains, aligned along the DECUMAN gate,and the theatre.

12. Isernia Isernia became a province in 1970, but its identity, deeply rooted, dates back as far as prehistoric times when the community of the first Europeans lived in one of its valleys. It was founded between the 4th and the 3rd century B.C. when the Samnites occupied the area as outpost towards the conquest of the plains of Campania.

13. Cultural & Traditional Events There are a lot of interesting events all year long celebrating religious or seasonal festivals The Wheat Festival The Good Friday procession and its choir The “Faglia”, in Oratino The “‘Ndocciata”, in Agnone

14. Cultural & Traditional Events The Festival of the “Pezzata”, in Capracotta The Parade of the “Mysteries on the day of Corpus Christi”, in Campobasso.

15. You can taste ……. The cuisine of Molise has always been known for its genuineness and home made products. There are a lot of restaurants in the towns and villages which offer their regional food The local dishes are simple and well cooked.

16. Among the most important Molisan dishes A variety of salty and dried pork meat (sausages, sopressate) and various dairy products (Caciocavallo, mozzarella cheese) “Pizza e minestra” and “ Cavatelli and pork meat, “Criuoli” and many more

17. Postcards from Molise

18. Churches the Cathedral San Giorgio Church Castel Petroso San Leonardo Church Santa Maria Della Strada San Bartolomeo Apostolo San Basso

19. Castles Several are the fortresses in Molise, ranging from the Samnites boundary walls to the baronial palaces characterised by renaissance features. Monforte Castle Gambatesa Castle The Svevo Castle Palazzo Ducale 

20. Monforte Castle

21. Termoli Castle

22. Gambatesa Castle

23. Termoli

24. Campobasso Landscape