Guardiaregia
Welcome to Guardiaregia, a small town in the heart of Molise!
Guardiaregia is a municipality located in the province of Campobasso, in Molise, with a population of around 700 inhabitants. In the following summary, we will take you on a journey through the physical geography of the area, its history, tourist attractions, economy, and transportation.
Physical Geography
Territory
Guardiaregia is situated at the foot of Mount Mutria, one of the highest peaks of the Matese mountain range. The area is characterized by unspoiled nature and waterways, such as the Quirino stream, which makes it particularly charming.
Climate
The climate varies between hot temperatures in the summer, with peaks around 30 degrees, and cold in the winter, when snowfall usually occurs.
History
Guardiaregia has an important history. In Roman times, the town was an outpost of the Samnites and was conquered during the Samnite Wars. As part of the Social Wars, it became a Roman municipality. In the 10th century, the new Lombard settlement arose, with the medieval fortress on Colle La Motta for the protection of Campochiaro. In the 13th century, under Pope Celestine V, several hermitages dependent on the diocese of Bojano appeared.
Symbols
The symbol of Guardiaregia is a crowned crane holding a Vigilance in its raised paw. The banner is a blue cloth.
Monuments and Places of Interest
Religious Architecture
If you are lovers of art and architecture, visiting the churches of San Nicola and Madonna della Neve could be an unforgettable experience. The church of San Nicola, after the earthquake of 1805, was rebuilt in neoclassical style and has a basilica plan with three naves, with a tripartite facade in three portals. The bell tower is a compact tower with a spire. The church of Madonna della Neve, on the other hand, was built in the 18th century and is located outside the town. It has a single nave and is made of rough stone, with a simple, linteled facade.
Natural Areas
In this area, you can visit the natural oasis of Guardiaregia, located in the municipal area, which covers an area of about 2000 hectares. This oasis was created thanks to the collaboration between the then municipal administration and WWF Italia. The natural oasis is the second largest in Italy in terms of extension. However, due to the lack of organized tourism policies, not many tourists visit the area.
Economy
In the municipal area, you can find the Arcichiaro dam and an industrial area where, among others, there is a plant of Italcementi. Agriculture and livestock farming are the main economic activities of the area.
Infrastructure and Transportation
The territory of Guardiaregia is crossed by the State Road 158 of the Volturno Valley and by the State Road 17 of the Abruzzo Apennines and Apulo-Sannitico. Moreover, an ancient transhumance route, the tratturo Pescasseroli-Candela, also passes through it.
Society
Demographic Evolution
In recent years, the population of Guardiaregia has remained fairly stable.
Administration
Guardiaregia is governed by a Mayor and a Municipal Council. Here is a table of the administrations that have succeeded each other over the years.
We have reached the end of our virtual tour of Guardiaregia. We hope you enjoyed this brief summary and have a desire to visit this beautiful Molisan village.
