Campolieto
Campobasso: a province with diverse landscapes
The province of Campobasso covers an area of 2,909 square kilometers and includes 84 municipalities, with a population of 210,249 inhabitants. The capital is Campobasso, while the institutional headquarters is located in Palazzo Magno. The province faces the Adriatic Sea to the northeast and borders Abruzzo, Puglia, Campania, and the province of Isernia. A peculiar aspect of the province emblem is the absence of a crown and a geometric shield, reproduced on a red banner. The elements of this coat of arms, ears of wheat and an eight-pointed star, are derived from the ancient province of Contado di Molise.
Physical geography
The province of Campobasso includes a vast area with diverse landscapes, from the Sannio Apennines to the hills, lakes, and rivers of the hinterland, to the Adriatic coast. Here, there are villages, towns, and cities immersed in breathtaking landscapes. The territory is crossed by the valleys of Trigno, Biferno, and Fortore. They present a generally straight course, surrounded by slopes of hills and mountains, and then widen considerably near the sea.
Hydrometry
Rivers are an important element of the hydrometry of the province of Campobasso. The Biferno River, which originates from the mountains of Matese and Bojano, is the longest in the region with its 84 kilometers. It crosses the Lake of Guardialfiera, blocked by a dam for the production of electricity. The Fortore River, which originates from Mount Altieri, is 110 kilometers long and has a maximum flow of 13.50 m³/s. It crosses Lake Occhito and marks the border between Molise and Puglia. The Trigno River, on the other hand, is 85 kilometers long and marks the border between Molise and Abruzzo. The Tammaro and Saccione are two smaller rivers. The only two lakes present in the province are of artificial origin: the "Liscione", or the Lake of Guardialfiera, created thanks to the homonymous dam, and the artificial lake on the Fortore River.
Historical notes
The province of Campobasso has a long history. The first archaeological evidence dates back to the Paleolithic period, but it was in the Iron and Bronze Ages that a rich and important artisanal and agricultural culture developed, as evidenced by numerous finds. In the Roman Age, the area was inhabited by the Samnites, and it was in 298 BC that the Romans conquered the city of Bovianum. In the Middle Ages, the area suffered the destruction caused by the barbarian invaders and experienced the development of archaic technologies such as water mills. In the Renaissance, art and architecture had an upswing, as evidenced by some remains of churches and palaces. During World War II, the province of Campobasso was severely affected. In the 1960s and 1970s, the province experienced significant economic development, thanks to artisanal activities and industrial growth.
Economy
Agriculture represents the main activity of the province of Campobasso, thanks to its typical products. The main agricultural product is wheat, followed by tomato, olive oil, and wine. Livestock farming is also an important resource of the province, with the production of cheeses such as caciocavallo and pecorino. The wood industry is important for the production of furniture and construction materials. Lately, there has been an increase in the tourism sector, which focuses mainly on the coast.
Tourism
The province of Campobasso offers numerous tourist attractions. Among the main monuments present in the city, we can mention the Monforte Castle, the Assumption Cathedral, the Sannitic Museum, the Savoia Theater, the Prefecture Palace, and the Villa de Capoa. Specifically, the coast characterized by cliffs and fine sandy beaches is the main tourist destination in the region. Among the most beautiful seaside towns in the province, we can mention Termoli, with its characteristic old town and the Swabian Castle, or Campomarino, a resort loved by tourists for its beaches. And then, there is the town of Bagnoli del Trigno, noted as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, situated on the hills overlooking the Trigno River.
Conclusion
The province of Campobasso is a varied area rich in history. The unspoiled nature, culture, history, and gastronomy are certainly the main attraction factors for tourists who want to visit the area. Of the tourist elements mentioned, the beauty of the beaches and the goodness of the gastronomy are definitely the calling card for the province of Campobasso.
