One of Italy's smallest regions, Molise offers a world of culture and flavors.
Simplicity and joie de vivre: these are the main characteristics of Campobasso and its province,
small centers of one of Italy's tiniest and still unknown regions: Molise. Nestled between Abruzzo,
Apulia and Campania, it's a small emerald sparkling with natural beauty, from the seaside to the forests,
from the Matese mountains to the countryside.
Its many archeological ruins testify to a past which finds
its roots in the Samnites and in the reign of ancient Rome.
Such as those in Pietrabbondante and Sepino,
the base of an archeological park complete with an ancient Roman theater which is still intact and
surrounded by greenery, or those in Bojano, which rise up at the foot of the Biferno river and offer
art lovers its beautiful churches, including the cathedral where the seven deadly sins are depicted,
as well as the Sorgente di Pietre Cadute.
Closely connected with Bojano is the hamlet of Civita Superiore, a village with a population of around
fifty, most of the inhabitants being elderly folks who remained to protect the old houses. A visit to
this charming village is truly captivating. It's like walking through a distant past which has nothing
in common with our modern, frenetic lifestyle. Testifying to this are three citizens over a hundred years
old who are more than willing to tell visitors the history of these places, which were immortalized by
Sergio Castelletto in his film "Don't Move" ("Non ti muovere").
Not far away, on the slopes of the Matese, we find Campochiaro, Molise's second largest town after
Roccamandolfi in terms of hectares of forest land. Here, as in Capracotta (near the hermitage of St.
Luke), and in the oases of Venafro and Guardiaregia, tourists who allow themselves to be taken away by
the sweetness of the landscape can delve into untouched forests, mountains and cascades, breathing in
the fresh air and enjoying sports such as skiing, rock climbing and hang-gliding in both summer and winter.
Yet Molise has even more to offer. There are numerous medieval villages. All of the 136 towns in the
region have towers, castles, forts, and examples of sacred art in Romanic and Baroque style, such as
those found in Matrice, San Felice del Molise and San Massimo.
Also worthy of a trip is Campobasso,
Molise region's capital, where visitors can admire its cathedral, and Termoli, the luminous seaside port
on the Adriatic which is the hometown of comics artist Benito Jacovitti.
Here, before setting sail for
the beautiful Tremiti islands, one can stroll along the streets of the old village and enjoy delicious
fish dishes at the restaurants Borgo, Da Noi Tre and Torre Sinarca.
As for accommodation, stay overnight
in Capracotta, at the hotel by the same name, at the Eden in Campobasso or at Pleiadi's in Bojano, which
also offers excellent cuisine.
In addition to natural and artistic beauty, tourists who choose Molise as their vacation destination may
also have fun at the many local village festivals, such as the Carnevale Mardi Gras celebrations in Tufara
and Rocchetta al Volturno, the Wheat Festival in Jelsi on St. Anna's day and the Mutton Festival in Capracotta,
where one can enjoy the ancient flavors of the area's country-style cooking.
The area of Molise has a wide variety of
genuine food and wine specialties, ranging from salumi such as smoked prosciutto from Spinete and Rionero
Sannitico, mulette di Macchiagodenae, sausages and soppressate, pasta dishes, cavatelli served with lamb
ragu', maccheroni alla chitarra, fusilli and polenta, nettle and cardoon soups, excellent cheeses and second
courses made of grilled kid and lamb.
We suggest trying the buffalo mozzarella produced by the many local
dairy farms, in particular those in Bojano and Venafro. As for wine, try the autochthonous DOC wines Biferno
(available in white, rosè, red and riserva), Molise, Trebbiano and Aglianico, as well as the IGT wine Terre
degli Osci.
Author: Adele Lapertosa
Courtesy of sanpellegrino.com
Its many archeological ruins testify to a past which finds
its roots in the Samnites and in the reign of ancient Rome.
