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Campobasso
Campobasso is the capital city of the Molise region in Italy. It it located in the high basin of the Biferno river, surrounded by the Sannio and Matese mountains.
Campobasso is definitely worth a visit, and its easy to get to from anywhere in central Italy. A good off season time to go would be the "Easter" season because you can observe the most important festival in Campobasso, the Misteri.
History
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A settlement existed in Samnite times on the hill that rises behind the present city, most probably a fortress in control of the shepherds' track Matese-Cortile. The first historical information goes back to Lombard times, when there were two centers: "Campus de Prata", where tha castle rose, and "Campus Vassus", which later changed into "Campus Bassus" (meaning lower territory, since it was below the castle). The feudal lords that followed in the century were the Monforte-Gambatesa (1300(?) -1495) with Nicola II who ordered the building of the castle, the Di Capua (1495 - 1559), Gonzaga (1559 - 1638), Vitagliano (1638 - 1639), Carafa (1639 - 1740), Romano (1740 - 1806). In 1806 feudalism was abolished and Campobasso was later made capital of the Province of Molise. During the Second World War since September 1943 was occupied by Canadian forces for two years and for a time was nicknamed "Canada Town" or "Maple Leaf City".
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Main monuments
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Castello Monforte |
The main attraction of Campobasso is the Castello Monforte, built in 1450 by the local ruler Nicola II Monforte, over Lombard of Norman ruins. The castle has Guelph merlons and lies on a commanding point, where traces of ancient settlements (including Samnite walls) have been found. The current construction is the result of later rebuildings after the earthquakes of 1456 and 1805. |
St. George |
At the feet of the castle, the church of St. George is probably the most ancient church of Campobasso, built around the year 1000 AD over the ruins of a Pagan temple. |
Cathedral |
The main church is the Cathedral, or Chiesa della Santissima Trinità (Church of the Holy Trinity), was built in 1504 outside the city walls. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1805 and a new Neoclassical edifice was built in 1829. |
Palazzo Comunale |
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S. Maria del monte |
Church of Santa Maria del Monte (11th century), located on the top of the Sant'Antonio Mountain in front of the Monforte Castle. Its original name was "Santa Maria de supra" or "de Campobasso". In 1525 it took the name of Santa Maria Maggiore until 1829, when the Cathedral was called with the same name. The frescoes inside are by the local painter Amedeo Trivisonno (1944-1945). The bell tower was added in 1970 and it is 26 mt high. |
S. Leonardo |
Church of San Leonardo, dating back to the 13th century, but modified during the 14th century and restored after the earthquake of 1456; the entrance stairways were substituted in the early 20th century. |
S. Antonio Abate |
Church of Sant'Antonio Abate built in 1572, it became the richest in the city; in the facade there is a late-Renaissance portal that dates back to 1572 |
S. Bartolomeo |
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Accomodation and Eating out
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Hotel Roxy * * * *
Piazza Savoia, 7 -
tel. 0874 - 411541
Hotel Eden * * *
Via Colle delle Api, 91 -
tel. 0874 - 698441
Hotel Skanderberg * * *
Via Novelli 31/B
tel. 0874 - 413341
Hotel Belvedere * *
Via Colle delle Alpi 32 -
tel. 0874 - 698385
Hotel Tricolore * *
Via S. Giovanni in Golfo 110 -
tel. 0874 - 63190
Hotel Concetta *
Via Tiberio 21/A -
tel. 0874 - 484036 |
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Il Potestà - Vico Persichillo, 3 - tel. 0874-311101
Vecchia Trattoria da Tonino - P.za Duomo 23 tel 0874-4115200
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History