Molise Apennines is a region ofItaly.
To know
Geographical notes
The mountainous and hilly area of the Molise Apennines borders to the west with the Lazio, to the north with theAbruzzo, to the south with the Campania, to the southeast with the Puglia, to the east with the Molise coast.
Spoken languages
In the Apennine area of Central Molise, towards the coastal area, there are linguistic islands Albanians is Croatian.
Territories and tourist destinations
||]] Venafrano - The part of the region headed by Venafro it still retains a strong link with its neighbor Campania. Venafro and other centers in the area were once part of the province of Terra di Lavoro (also known as Liburia), and therefore of the region Campania, with which the territory still has linguistic-cultural affinities. In 1863 the annexation to the current one took place Molise. Venafro is of great socio-economic importance in the Molise landscape, thanks to the development of the nearby industrial nucleus which constitutes the fourth industrial pole of the region.Isernino. to the east and to the south with the Campania, to the west with the Lazio.
Isernino - It is the part of the territory most closely linked to Isernia, second city of the Molise for administrative importance, third for population after Campobasso is Termoli. L'Isernino bordered to the north by Upper Molise is Abruzzo, south with Venafrano is Campania, to the west with the Lazio and to the east with the Central Molise. The mountainous groups of the Mounts of the Meta and the Mainarde mark the landscape on the north-west border with Abruzzo is Lazio.
Upper Molise — Agnone it is its main center. Until 1811 for about 600 years Agnone and its surroundings have always been an integral part of the Giustizierato d 'Abruzzo and Abruzzo Citra, in the district of They launch. Aggregate to Molise, together with the municipalities of the area, constitutes theUpper Molise. It borders to the north, north east and north west with theAbruzzo, to the south and southwest with theIsernino, southeast with the Central Molise.
Central Molise - The central area of the region, bordered to the south by the Matese massif on the border with Campania, goes north to theAbruzzo and to Molise coast, to the east it borders the Puglia, to the south with the Campania, west with Isernino is Upper Molise. The landscape, abandoning the most important peaks of its western part, dissolves in a gentle continuous slope of rounded reliefs, often occupied by countries in a dominant position, and gradually slopes down towards the east until the Molise coast which brings together the Adriatic coast of the region and the first Apennine reliefs. This whole area is strongly affected by the attraction of the regional capital Campobasso. Other centers of great historical importance are Bojano is Trivento, centers of power in the Samnite, then Roman, and finally medieval times; they are very ancient episcopal cities.
Urban centers
- Campobasso - The old city develops on a hill around the castle in a dominant position. The modern city has developed in the plan. It is the most populous center of Molise, of which it is the regional capital.
- Agnone - Ancient Samnite city, known worldwide for the traditional and centuries-old artisan construction of bells, has an interesting historic center and an expanding tourist infrastructure.
- Bojano - It was a powerful Samnite city, then a Roman center. In the Middle Ages it became an episcopal seat. It retains a beautiful old town full of churches, as well as the cathedral.
- Isernia - Among the first documented Paleolithic settlements in Europe, it was then a flourishing Samnite city, capital of the Italic League, later a Roman Municipium. Its millennial past has left it with an important monumental heritage that extends up to the pre-Roman era, as well as very important prehistoric finds.
- Trivento - Ancient bishopric, in its cathedral the crypt of particular historical-architectural value dating back to the 11th-12th century is preserved.
- Venafro - His long membership in the Campania. City of the Samnites, later a Roman colony, the vestiges of the empire flanked by an important medieval urban heritage, in which the numerous churches stand out, unfortunately in large numbers deteriorated.
Other destinations
- Capracotta - Its facilities and its ski slopes make it a winter sports pole frequented by skiers from Molise, Abruzzo, Lazio is Campania.
- Pietrabbondante - The remains of the fortifications and the spectacular Samnite Theater of Monte Saraceno testify to the human presence on the territory of Pietrabbondante since remote times. Near the inhabited center are the remains of the ancient settlement which was the most important sanctuary and political center of the Samnites between the 2nd century BC. and 95 BC
How to get
By plane
The Apennine region, like all of the Molise, does not have airports. The closest one is a Pescara. Another airport to consider is Rome-Fiumicino. The regional bus lines ATM they operate a connection with the Tiburtina station in Rome where the trains to Fiumicino airport pass and another for Pescara.
On the train
The main Molise line is the Adriatic Director, which crosses the region along the coast. The Molise Apennines is connected to this important railway backbone in particular by:
- Campobasso Railway-Termoli
The Apennine area is also crossed by complementary lines:
- Railroad Benevento-Campobasso
- Railroad Isernia-Campobasso
- Railroad Sulmona-Hisernia
- Railroad Vairano-Hisernia
How to get around
What see
- Co-cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (to Venafro). Dating back to the 5th century, it was built under the bishop Constantine on the site where a pagan temple had already stood for centuries with materials taken from other monuments of previous eras, Roman elements and Christian decorations, such as the bas-relief of the bishop Peter of Ravenna, a relief which due to its unusual appearance is called by the inhabitants "Marzo Settecappotti". The interior has three naves decorated with paintings of the fourteenth century. Restoration works dating back to the sixties and seventies have brought the co-cathedral back to the ancient Baroque forms, bringing the sacred place back to the previous Gothic-medieval aspect.
- Church of the Annunziata (to Venafro).
- Church and convent of San Francesco (to Agnone).
- Cathedral and Crypt of San Casto (in the Cathedral of Trivento). Of particular historical and architectural value is the crypt, dating back to the 11th-12th century and dedicated to San Casto. A Roman inscription at the base of a pillar with the dedication to Diana suggests that the crypt was built on an ancient Roman temple dedicated to this deity. The environment is divided by the bare columns into seven small naves; it is also enriched by the presence of 13th century frescoes, a wooden statue of the Madonna on the throne and a stone bas-relief depicting the Trinity between angels and dolphins, from the same period.
- Recent excavations have made it possible to bring to light the remains of a baptistery.
- Arch of St. Peter (to Isernia).
- Fountain of the Fraterna (to Isernia).
- Monforte Castle (to Campobasso).
- Cathedral of San Bartolomeo (in Bojano). The original Romanesque construction was rebuilt several times following earthquakes, and most recently after the bombings of the World War. In the external south-east wall of the cathedral there are some important remains of the ancient medieval building, such as plutei of the ninth century and tiles of the thirteenth century. The ogival Gothic portal and the rose window date back to this period. Other testimonies, from the Samnite, Roman and Lombard periods, are scattered on the external and internal walls of the church, and at the base of the bell tower.
Archaeological sites
- Archaeological area of Pietrabbondante (in Isernia).
- "La Pineta" archaeological site (to Isernia).
- Roman amphitheater and theater (to Venafro).
Itineraries
- Castles in the province of Isernia - There are numerous manors of theMolise Apennines in the countries ofUpper Molise, ofIsernino he was born in Venafrano. Some are in ruins due to war or earthquakes; others have been recovered; many have a military aspect, with little or no external architectural evolution of transformation into a stately home.
What to do
At the table
Stracciata from Molise
Dishes
- Pampanella Pork dish cooked in the oven and abundantly spiced. The dish originates from the town of San Martino in Pensilis.
- Panonta - Originally from the country of Miranda, Panonta is fresh pork sausage garnished with peppers, grated pecorino, parsley and garlic.
- Pied - Originally from Capracotta, the Pezzata is a dish based on sheep meat cooked over low heat in copper pots and seasoned with aromatic herbs.
- Cazzarielli with beans - Fresh pasta similar to gnocchetti seasoned with fried borlotti beans together with bacon, chilli and chopped celery, onion, carrot and then boiled in abundant tomato sauce.
- Cheese and eggs - balls of cheese and breadcrumbs cooked in a full-bodied tomato sauce.
- Torcinelli - lamb intestines stuffed with lamb sweetbreads. Usually, it is eaten cooked on coals, but sometimes it is also eaten with meat sauce.
- Rattatura pizza - a pizza bread created by remixed, salted and oiled in the right way from the scraps of flour from the oven, generally goes well with sauces and cold cuts. Typical of Castelmauro.
- Friarielli - fried green peppers.
- Sfringions - fried batter in the shape of a sausage.
- Cavatelli - fresh handmade pasta, usually seasoned with sauce.
- Pizza and soup - country vegetables and a pizza made with maize flour.
Desserts
- Caragnoli - Typical sweets with a helical shape prepared for Christmas and Carnival with a dough made from flour and eggs which, after being fried in olive oil, is sprinkled with honey.
Typical products
- Truffle - Widespread in the Matese mountains and in the Mainarde. The Molise towns best known for truffle harvesting are Carovilli is San Pietro Avellana. The latter is called "the homeland of the White Truffle" (prepared to season fettuccine)
- Olive oil - "La bella del Molise" is the name of the olive, known especially to Larino, but not only that, which produces a fragrant and tasty oil unique in Italy.
Cheeses
- Tattered - An elongated dairy product, made from cow's milk.
- Burrino - Typical cheese of southern Italy with stretched curd made from cow's milk, with a heart of butter.
- Pecorino di Capracotta - Cheese made from aromatic sheep's milk and a little spicy if aged. It has a hard, nut-colored rind and a compact texture with rare watery holes. The curing phase can last from 3 months up to 2 years.
- Scamorza Molisana - Produced with milk from alpine brown cows reared in the wild, it has the characteristic shape of a pear with a severed head. Eaten fresh or after a few days, it is excellent grilled.
Salami and sausage meats
- Pietracatella sausage - Made with pork with abundant quantities of fat, salt, wild fennel, sweet and spicy chilli.
- Soppressata from Molise - Obtained from pork, lightly smoked, it is consumed after maturing or stored in fat in glass jars, but also in crates containing wheat to keep the product fragrant in the summer.
Each country then has its own typical products that follow ancient traditions handed down from generation to generation. A tip for those who decide to visit Molise is to explore these places and their typical products, you can rediscover a simple but wonderful cuisine.
Drinks
Wines
- Tintilia del Molise - Obtained from a native grape of Molise, Tintilia is a red and rosé DOC wine with an intense flavor and a strong color. It follows the Molise tradition according to which good wine must "stain" the glass.
- Pentro wine from Isernia - It is a DOC white wine with an intense flavor.
- Biferno - White, red and rosé, it is one of the most prestigious DOC in the region.
Safety
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Molise Apennines
