Campodipietra
Welcome to Campodipietra!
Hello everyone! Today I will take you on a journey to discover a beautiful Italian town, located in the province of Campobasso, in Molise. I'm talking about Campodipietra, a town of about 2,427 inhabitants nestled in the belt of villages that surround the regional capital.
A geography to discover
The village of Campodipietra is located at the base of an Apennine ridge and its historic center stands on a sandstone rock shelf overlooking a ravine called "fosso a basso". Despite its position, the territory of Campodipietra is rich in watercourses of various sizes such as the Tappino and Ruviato streams, and several streams. Natural springs are also not lacking, such as the Petuglia, Cigliana and Iarea, all used by the municipal aqueduct. The rural landscape of the territory is characterized by hills ranging from 360 m to 700 m above sea level, once marked by vineyards, olive groves and fields cultivated with wheat, legumes, corn, hemp and linum usitatissimum.
Between history and ancient civilizations
The territory of Campodipietra has a very ancient history, dating back to the times of the Samnites. At the Samnite Museum of Campobasso, artifacts from the 7th-6th century BC are preserved, such as three bronze bracelets and a Hellenistic statuette of the god Hercules dating back to the 4th century BC. In Roman times, the territory of the municipality was under the control of the municipality of Saepinum, and several Roman necropolises and villas have been found in the districts of Pezze Grandi, Marchisi and Valli. The town of Campodipietra, as we know it today, may have arisen on the ruins of these agricultural villas, thanks to the surviving population. The area became a strategic crossroads thanks to the Lucera-Castel di Sangro drover's road, a transhumance route that connected Abruzzo to Puglia. In 1022, the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry II, stopped in Campodipietra during his expedition against Byzantine Puglia. On that occasion, Abbot Ilario of the Abbey of San Vincenzo al Volturno met him to ask him to issue a ruling in favor of the abbey on the ownership of some properties in Abruzzo.
A territory to explore
Today the town of Campodipietra is a quiet and welcoming place, surrounded by nature. The historic center offers picturesque and suggestive views, including the Clock Tower and the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, dating back to the 17th century. But that's not the only charm of Campodipietra: among the places to visit are also the remains of the ancient Roman villa of Pezze Grandi, the Angel Custodian Cave, known for its stalactites and stalagmites, and the Fonte del Mulino, a source of fresh and crystal-clear water where you can stop for a short break.
Between flavors and traditions
The cuisine of Campodipietra is typical of the Molisan peasant tradition, with dishes based on local products such as legumes, fresh pasta, caciocavallo cheese, pork meat and sausages. Among the most famous dishes are the "trattorelle", slices of meat filled with cheese, the "frittata di cardi", the "coglionata", typical biscuits of Campodipietra, and the "pizzata", a kind of pizza prepared only with cherry tomatoes, oil and oregano. There are also events and traditions such as the patronal feast of Santa Maria degli Angeli, which is held every year on the third weekend of May, and the Caciocavallo Festival, in August, where you can taste the cheese produced by local farms.
An invitation to visit Campodipietra
In short, Campodipietra is an enchanting place that I invite you to discover with your own eyes. Between nature, history, flavors and traditions, this Molisan municipality awaits you to offer you moments of relaxation and discovery. Come and visit us!
