Riccia

Welcome to the Province of Campobasso

Hi everyone! Today I will tell you about the Province of Campobasso, a wonderful area in Molise that spans an area of 2,909 square kilometers and includes 84 municipalities. The province has a population of 210,249 inhabitants, and the capital is Campobasso, where the institutional headquarters is located in Palazzo Magno. The Province of Campobasso faces the northeast Adriatic Sea and is bordered to the north by the province of Chieti in Abruzzo, to the southeast by the province of Foggia in Puglia, to the south by the provinces of Benevento and Caserta in Campania, and to the west by the province of Isernia.

Physical Geography

The Province of Campobasso is a varied and diversified area, incorporating villages, towns, and cities. The territory is crossed by the valleys of Trigno, Biferno, and Fortore, which generally have a straight course surrounded by hills and mountains. Moreover, the province is characterized by the presence of mountains in the Sannita Apennine ridge, hills, inland lakes and rivers, as well as a wonderful Adriatic coast.

The province of Campobasso: mountains, lakes, rivers, and traditional cuisine.

Territory

Starting from the mountains in the Sannita Apennine Ridge, one can cross the hills, inland lakes and rivers, and finally reach the coastal strip of the Adriatic Sea. The landscape is varied and always surprising.

Hydrography

The Province of Campobasso is crossed by several rivers such as Biferno, Fortore, Trigno, Tammaro, Saccione, Sinarca, and Sassinora. In particular, the Biferno River crosses the Guardialfiera Lake, which has been dammed for the production of electricity. The Fortore River, instead, crosses the Occhito Lake and marks the border between Molise and Puglia. Finally, the Trigno River marks the border between Molise and Abruzzo. The only two artificial reservoirs present in the province are the Guardialfiera Lake and the Occhito Lake.

The History of Campobasso

The history of Campobasso is very fascinating: the city dates back to the late Roman period, and the origin of its name comes from the Latin "Campus vassorum." The city was very important during the Middle Ages and was ruled by various noble families, including the feudal lords of Monforte, d'Avalos, and Gonzaga. In the 18th century, the city became part of the Kingdom of Naples. Campobasso has been an important industrial center since the nineteenth century, especially thanks to textile production.

What to see in Campobasso

Campobasso is a very charming town rich in things to see. One of the most beautiful places is the historic center, with the Campobasso Cathedral from the twelfth century, the Monforte Castle, the Church of Our Lady of the Mountain, and the Palazzo Magno, the seat of the Province. Campobasso also has various museums, including the Civic Museum, the Museum of Mysteries, the Photography Museum, the Museum of the People of Molise, and the Historical Museum of the Spanish Civil War.

Local Cuisine

The Province of Campobasso boasts a very good traditional cuisine characterized by the simplicity of its dishes. Among the specialties to taste are legume and cereal soups such as chickpea soup, dishes based on sheep meat such as roasted lamb and rabbit alla Molisana, fresh ricotta cheese, pecorino cheese, pepperoni cruschi or dried peppers, and black olives. Also, don't miss the typical Tintilia del Molise wine, a highly regarded dry red wine.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a peaceful place surrounded by nature, the Province of Campobasso is the place for you. I can't wait to return to this enchanting province to discover new magical places.

Valentina Fabbri
Updated Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022