Macchia Valfortore - Macchia Valfortore

Macchia Valfortore is a center of the Molise.

To know

Geographical notes

The countryside of Macchia Valfortore is located on the banks of the Occhito lake, one of the largest reservoirs in Europe. It is totally immersed in the uncontaminated Molise hills and marks the geographical border between the Molise and the Puglia. It is 32 km from Campobasso, 59 from Lucera, 70 from Termoli, 71 from Trivento.

Background

It arose as a medieval village on the Fortore river, around the 11th century. The feudal count Gualtiero Gentili built the castle and the parish church.

After 1150 the castle passed into the hands of the Gambacortas (17th century).

How to orient yourself

Neighborhoods

Its municipal territory also includes the locality of Occhito.

How to get

By plane

• Pescara airport (Abruzzo International Airport), Via Tiburtina Km 229.100, ☎ 39 085 4324201. 
• Naples Capodichino Airport (NAP), Viale F. Ruffo di Calabria, 80144 Naples NA, ☎ 39 081 7896111. 
• Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), Via dell 'Fiumicino Airport, 320, ☎ 39 06 65951. 

By car

• Adriatic Highway A14:

• from the north exit a Termoli, follow the direction Campobasso/Larino, follow the signs for Campobasso taking the SS 647 and the SS 87 (state road Bifernina), reach the SS 212 and follow it until the junction of Macchia Valfortore (SP 39).
• from the south follow the direction Pescara, exit a Foggia, follow the direction Campobasso/Pescara, take the SS 673, reach the SS 17 in the direction of Lucera/Campobasso, cross Lucera, continue on the SS 645, continue on the SS 212 until the junction of Macchia Valfortore (SP 39).

• A1 Autostrada del Sole:

• from the north exit at San Vittore, direction Campobasso, reach the SS 17 following the Campobasso sign, continue on the SS 87 (Bifernina state road), cross Campobasso, continue on the SS 645, then SS 212 until the junction of Macchia Valfortore (SP 39).
• from the south continue on the A16 motorway, follow the direction Benevento, in Benevento continue on the SS 88, exit at Campobasso, take the SS 87 (state road Bifernina) in the direction of Campobasso/Isernia, continue on the SS 17 always in the direction of Campobasso, continue on the SS 87, cross Campobasso, continue on the SS 645, then SS 212 until the junction of Macchia Valfortore (SP 39).

• From Campobasso take the State Road 645, continue on the SS 212 until the junction of Macchia Valfortore (SP 39).
• From Foggia take the SS 17, cross Lucera, continue on the SS 645, continue on the SS 212 until the junction of Macchia Valfortore (SP 39).

By bus

• The main public transport companies operating in the Molise area are the following:
• Autolinee C.L.P. S.p.A., ☎ 39 081 5311707, 39 081 5312424, @[email protected]. Direct connection from Naples to Campomarino and Termoli 
• Lariviera bus lines. 
• SATI bus lines. 
• Molise Trasporti bus lines. 

How to get around

What see

• Gambacorta baronial palace. Built around 1150, the castle passed into the Gambacorta property from 1618 to 1701. Today it is a museum and town hall. It has three levels in the rectangular plan, with a main entrance with a round arch. On the facade there is a circular tower which is used as a private residence. 
• Chapel of Santa Maria Assunta. It is located on a hill near the center, in the Sant'Elia district. The church was built in the 18th century; on the rear wall of the apse there is a painting with the Virgin crushing the snake, while the statue is kept in a niche after the portal.

The building is linked to the stories of two events that have been handed down for some time. One concerns a German family who took refuge in the church during the Second World War, but carried out raids. In a short time a miracle happened: the whole family died of throat cancer.

The other story recalls that in the early twentieth century a shepherd poked out the eyes of the statue of the Madonna to sell them, but while he was on a tree, he fell on a pylon of the current and was beheaded. 

• Occhito lake. It is a large artificial reservoir, created with a barrage on the Fortore. It marks the border between Puglia and Molise for about 10 km. It has a length of about 12 km and its containment capacity is 333 million m³ of water.

The municipalities that overlook the lake are Sant'Elia a Pianisi, Macchia Valfortore, Pietracatella, Gambatesa and Tufara in Molise; Carlantino, Celenza Valfortore and San Marco la Catola in Puglia.

The rise in humidity in the surrounding areas is attributed to its creation. The barrier can be reached from Carlantino in Puglia and from Colletorto in Molise. 

Events and parties

What to do

Shopping

In its territory an excellent olive oil is produced; Macchia Valfortore is part of theNational Association City of oil.

How to have fun

Where to eat

Average prices

• 41.57380614.9375151 Miralago Hotel Restaurant bar pizzeria, Contrada Vreccelosa snc (On the Occhito lake), ☎ 39 0874 810287, @[email protected]. 

Where stay

Safety

Pharmacy

• 41.59470314.9116021 Elixir, Via Giuseppe Mazzini, 8, ☎ 39 0874 810117. 

How to keep in touch

Post office

• 41.59534914.9116212 Italian post, Via Cesare Giulio, 1, ☎ 39 0874 810138. 

Around

• 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.
• Lucera

Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Macchia Valfortore
• Commons contains images or other files on Macchia Valfortore

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