Molise[dead link] (Neapolitan: Mulìse) is a region of Southern Italy, on the Adriatic sea. It is Italy's second smallest region by land area, the second least populous and also the least known one. In spite of this, the region is rich in sights to offer to tourists intent on exploring this unexplored region.
Provinces
editCities
editOther destinations
editUnderstand
editGet in
editBy plane
editSince Molise doesn't have airports the best choice is Abruzzo International Airport (PSR IATA), in the Adriatic city of Pescara. Another possibility is Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO IATA). The regional bus company ATM offers connections with Pescara and Roma Tiburtina railway station, which is linked to Rome Airport.
By train
editThe main railway is the Adriatic railway, that crosses Molise along its coast. It provides efficient connections from the major cities of Northern Italy like Bologna, Milan and Turin, as well as from Apulia's main towns.
For more info visit the site of Trenitalia[dead link], the main railway operator of the country.
By car
editTwo toll motorways can be useful to reach the region:
- — Sun Motorway (Milan-Naples), exit of San Vittore del Lazio to reach Venafro in few minutes
- — Adriatic Motorway (Bologna-Taranto), passes through Termoli and the molisan coast
For more info you can check the site of Autostrade per l'Italia.
Get around
editBy train
editThe railways system of the region has a total length of 265 km (164 mi) and counts 28 stations. Besides the Adriatic railway other internal lines are:
- Campobasso-Termoli railway (temporarily closed since 2016)
- Isernia-Campobasso railway
- Rocca d'Evandro-Venafro railway
- Vairano-Isernia railway
For more info visit the site of Trenitalia[dead link], the main railway operator of the country.
By car
editRenting a car is probably the best choice to discover Molise. Strade statali (trunk roads) can be used for reaching internal destinations as well as the surrounding regions:
- — dell'Appennino Abruzzese e Appulo Sannitica, links Antrodoco to Foggia
- — Venafrana, links Teano to Pescolanciano
- — Sannitica, links Benevento to Termoli
- — della Val Fortore, links Benevento to Ripabottoni
- — della Vandra, links Sora to Isernia
- — Fondo Valle del Tappino, links Campobasso to Gambatesa
- — Fondo Valle del Biferno, links Bojano to Guglionesi
- — Fondo Valle Trigno, links Isernia to San Salvo
- — Fondo Valle Sangro, links Cerro al Volturno to Fossacesia
See
editArchaeological sites
edit- 1 Isernia — The Lower Palaeolithic site of Isernia-La Pineta and numerous traces of its Roman period[dead link].
- 2 Larino — The remarkable Roman Amphitheater and Roman Forum of the important ancient town of Larinum. [dead link]
- 3 Pietrabbondante — The Theater and the Italic temple, parts of the sacred area of the Roman city of Bovianum Vetus. [dead link]
- 4 San Giovanni in Galdo — The Italic temple dating from the Samnite age. [dead link]
- 5 San Vincenzo al Volturno — A 5th-century Benedictine Abbey rich of frescoes. [dead link]
- 6 Sepino — Relevant remains of the Samnite village of Saipins and the Roman city of Saepinum. [dead link]
- 7 Vastogirardi — The Italic temple, built by the Samnites during the 2nd century BC. [dead link]
- 8 Venafro — Important remains of Samnite and Roman ages like the Amphitheater, a visitable aqueduct, a Theater and the urban walls. [dead link]
Castles
edit- Angevin Castle[dead link] in Civitacampomarano
- Castello D'Alessandro [dead link] in Pescolanciano
- Castello Di Capua[dead link] in Gambatesa
- Castello Monforte[dead link] in Campobasso
- Castello Pandone in Cerro al Volturno
- Castle of Roccamandolfi [dead link]
- Castello Sanfelice[dead link] in Bagnoli del Trigno
- National Museum of Castello Pandone[dead link] in Venafro
- Swabian castle[dead link] in Termoli
Museums
edit- Antiquarium of Saepinum-Altilia[dead link]
- Archaeological Museum of Isernia-Santa Maria delle Monache[dead link]
- Archaeological Museum of Venafro[dead link]
- Civic Museum of Larino[dead link]
- Civic Museum of Memory and History in Isernia
- International Museum of the Bell in Agnone[dead link]
- International Museum of the World Wars of Rocchetta al Volturno
- Museo di Comunità della Festa del Grano of Jelsi
- Mysteries' Museum of Campobasso
- National Paleolithic Museum of Isernia-La Pineta[dead link]
- Samnite Museum of Campobasso[dead link]
- Winter Line permanent exhibition in Venafro
Nature reserves
edit- National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise
- Collemeluccio Nature reserve
- Guardiaregia-Campochiaro Regional nature reserve [formerly dead link] (WWF Oasis)
- Oasis Le Mortine[dead link] (WWF Oasis)
- Oasis of Bosco Casale (Casacalenda)[dead link] (LIPU Oasis)
- Montedimezzo Nature reserve [formerly dead link]
- Pesche Nature reserve [formerly dead link]
- Regional Park of the Olive Tree of Venafro
- Torrente Callora Nature reserve
Villages
edit- 9 Capracotta — Important ski resort of Alto Molise.
- 10 Carovilli — Delightful ancient village with typical stone houses.
- 11 Castel del Giudice — Located at 800 meters of height on the border with Abruzzo and surrounded by beautiful apple orchards.
- 12 Pescopennataro — A center of Norman origins surrounded by the dense forests of Alto Molise.
- Pizzone — Situated in the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise, it has preserved its three medieval gates.
- 13 Ripalimosani — Relevant religious architectures and the most authentic cuisine of the region.
- 14 Roccasicura — Of Samnite origin, declared reserve of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB).
- 15 San Pietro Avellana — In the uncontaminated nature of Alto Molise, renowned for the production of truffles.
- 16 Vastogirardi — Mountain village with relevant monuments and a Regional Nature reserve rich of flora and fauna.
Do
editEat
editDrink
edit- Biferno — One of the most prestigious DOC wines of the region. It counts four varieties: red, red reserve, rosè and white.
- Pentro di Isernia — A DOC wine which counts three varieties: red, rosè and white.
- Tintilia del Molise — A DOC wine characterized by intense flavor and color. It counts three varieties: red, red reserve and rosè.
Stay safe
editTheft, robberies and violent crimes are extremely rare. The region is generally safe.