Campobasso, with its ancient paved streets, the majestic palaces and the mountains that surround it, offers an authentic and unforgettable experience in the heart of Molise, a fascinating Italian region, both small in size and large in historical value and beauty.
Brief history of Campobasso
Campobasso is the capital of both the Molise region and the province of the same name, a city of ancient origins.
Its origins date back to the fourth century B.C. around, in full Samnite domination.
The Samnites, an ancient Italic tribe, dominated the region of Molise and Sannio before the rise of Rome. Located in a strategic position on the hills of the Apennines, it was one of the main centers of the Samnite territory.
When Rome began its expansion into southern Italy, Campobasso became a crucial center for the Samnites, who tenaciously resisted the Roman advance. The hills around Campobasso were the scene of clashes and battles, with the Samnites who firmly defended their land and their independence.
Despite the strenuous resistance, in the end the Samnites were defeated by the Romans and Campobasso, like many other Samnite centers, fell under the domination of Rome in the third century BC. The arrival of the Romans brought profound transformations in the territory of the Samnites, influencing the culture, architecture and economy of Campobasso.
During the Roman rule, Campobasso experienced a period of prosperity and development.
Its defensive walls and road system made it a crucial hub for trade and communication. Roman architecture, with its temples and spas, had also embellished the city itself.
In the ninth century, in the middle of the Middle Ages, Campobasso became part of the Duchy of Benevento, subject to Lombard authority. During this period, the city became an important administrative and military center of the region, contributing to the defense of territories against Saracen and Norman raids.
During the eleventh century, Campobasso came under Norman control, following the events of the Kingdom of Sicily. The Normans favored the economic and cultural development of the city and the entire region, promoting the construction of churches, castles and public works.
Campobasso continued to grow in strategic and political importance even during the twelfth century under the rule of the Swabian dynasty over the Kingdom of Sicily. The city became a center of local power, with the construction of new fortifications and the expansion of the urban system.
In the fourteenth century, Campobasso passed under the rule of the Angevins, then passed to the Aragonese domination in the fifteenth century. This phase saw the city involved in territorial conflicts and power struggles between the various ruling dynasties.
During the Renaissance, Campobasso lost some of its strategic importance, but retained its role as a cultural and commercial center in the Molise region.
Under the Bourbon domination, Campobasso also experienced moments of instability due to wars and struggles for power, with episodes of looting and devastation. However, the city retained its importance as a cultural and religious center, with the construction of new churches and the expansion of educational institutions.
In the nineteenth century, Campobasso was involved in the ferments of the Italian Risorgimento. The city saw tensions between supporters of the Bourbon government and those who embraced the ideas of national unity. In 1861, with the unification of Italy, Campobasso became part of the Kingdom of Italy, following the historical events of the nation.
Main monuments and works of art to visit
The tourist who visits Campobasso for the first time has the pleasant surprise of being in front of a very particular city, it appears clearly divided into two: the modern part that has developed flat, and the oldest part that climbs up a hill, Mount Vairano, 794 meters high, dominated by the massive Monforte Castle on its top.
The difference in altitude between the hill and the flat part of Campobasso is about 100 meters.
The city itself is 701 meters above sea level and the castle, located on the hill, dominates the city offering a panoramic view of the surrounding area.
Tourists, therefore, could start to visit the ancient city that has developed on the slope of Mount Vairano and then continue in the modern part of Campobasso.
Among the main monuments to visit in the ancient part there is the Monforte Castle, one of the symbols of Campobasso. Built in the twelfth century, it has been enlarged and modified over the centuries. The castle can be visited and often hosts temporary exhibitions.
The old town opens to a fan and just below the castle there are two churches of the thirteenth century: the church of San Giorgio and that of San Bartolomeo.
The Church of San Giorgio, with its pre-Romanesque and Romanesque architecture, built in the 10th century, is the oldest in the city and also in the entire region, and is dedicated to San Giorgio, the patron saint of Campobasso.
The Church of San Bartolomeo is one of the oldest examples of the Romanesque style of the region, built in the second half of the thirteenth century, and is worth a visit.
Next to the church is the 13th century Torre Terzano, restored by the Monforte nobles in 1400.
Continuing between the narrow medieval streets of the old town and going up and down its stairs there are many monuments to visit including the church of Sant’Antonio Abate at the end of the street of the same name.
Built in 1572, in Baroque style, it houses elaborate wooden altars and paintings by Francesco Guarini, an Italian painter representative of the Neapolitan painting of 1600.
In the historic center there is also the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, the main place of worship of the city. Built in 1504 by an important local family, it was destroyed in the earthquake of 1805 and rebuilt in neoclassical style.
In the old town there are other churches to visit including:
- Church of Santa Maria della Croce;
- Church of San Leonardo;
- Church of Santa Maria de Foras;
- Church of Santa Maria Maggiore
Palazzo San Giorgio, seat of the Municipality of Campobasso, located in the historic center, is an imposing building built on the remains of the Monastery of Santa Maria della Libera, destroyed in the earthquake of 1805.
Dedicated to the patron saint of the city, it incorporates the Church of Santa Maria della Libera that is not visible outside.
The palace is located in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II and can be visited.
Campobasso houses several museums, including the important Sannitico Museum, the Museo di Palazzo Pistilli and the Museo Permanente del Presepio.
The Sannitico Museum, housed in the halls of the noble Palazzo Mazzarotta in the historic center of the ancient city, became a museum in 1995.
The Museum exhibits archaeological finds found in Campobasso and in the province, coming from the territory of ancient Sannio, from late prehistory to the Middle Ages.
Also in the historic center, a must see is the beautiful Museum of Palazzo Pistilli, in its rooms you can see the art collection that a benefactor, Michele Praitano, donated to the city in 2014.
Other art collections have been donated to the Museum and in all there are more than 180 works of art, concentrated on the painting of 1800 and 1900.
For lovers of cribs, finally, the International Museum of the Crib in miniature Guido Coliti, in Piazza Vittoria, is a destination not to be missed. Founded in 1932 by Guido Colitti, the museum houses about 400 examples of miniature nativity scenes, from all over the world.
Palazzo San Giorgio, seat of the Municipality of Campobasso, located in the historic center, is an imposing building built on the remains of the Monastery of Santa Maria della Libera, destroyed in the earthquake of 1805.
Dedicated to the patron saint of the city, it incorporates the Church of Santa Maria della Libera that is not visible outside.
The palace is located in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II and can be visited.
Campobasso houses several museums, including the important Sannitico Museum, the Museo di Palazzo Pistilli and the Museo Permanente del Presepio.
The Sannitico Museum, housed in the halls of the noble Palazzo Mazzarotta in the historic center of the ancient city, became a museum in 1995.
The Museum exhibits archaeological finds found in Campobasso and in the province, coming from the territory of ancient Sannio, from late prehistory to the Middle Ages.
Also in the historic center, a must see is the beautiful Museum of Palazzo Pistilli, in its rooms you can see the art collection that a benefactor, Michele Praitano, donated to the city in 2014.
Other art collections have been donated to the Museum and in all there are more than 180 works of art, concentrated on the painting of 1800 and 1900.
For lovers of cribs, finally, the International Museum of the Crib in miniature Guido Coliti, in Piazza Vittoria, is a destination not to be missed. Founded in 1932 by Guido Colitti, the museum houses about 400 examples of miniature nativity scenes, from all over the world.
Other products of culinary excellence are porcini mushrooms and cured meats, including seasoned capocollo, lard, cracklings, ham, soppressata, pork sausage.
As a typical dessert, Campobasso offers tourists a dessert invented by a pastry chef of the city in the late 60s, the Milk Pan.
It is a Christmas cake in the form of zuccotto and covered with white chocolate icing and hazelnut cream.
The inside of the cake is bathed by Milk, a liqueur made of alcohol, milk and natural herbs given; of course the recipe is jealously guarded by producers.
How to reach Campobasso
The city can be reached by car, train and even by plane.
For tourists who choose the plane, there are two alternatives: the first is to land in Naples, reach the city that is 115 kilometers from Capodichino airport by bus, get to Naples Central and take the train that leads to Campobasso. Alternatively there are also buses that lead to Campobasso. Or you can land in Rome, at Ciampino or Fiumicino airport, reach Tiburtina station and from there continue by bus to Campobasso.
Or from Termini Station in Rome take the train that leads directly to Campobasso.
Copertina: Unsplash
