Molise: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Sepino was an ancient Samnite center along transhumance routes and later took on monumental Roman forms.

Culture

This chronological span continues at the Museum of the City and Territory of Sepino. The museum is housed in 18th-century rural buildings constructed on the curved structures of a Roman theater. The exhibition displays material from prehistoric times through the Middle Ages, taking visitors through several eras of local and regional history.

The Museo archeologico nazionale di Campobasso is also housed in a building with a history of its own: since 1995, it has been located in the 18th-century Palazzo Mazzarotta in the historic center of Campobasso. The permanent exhibition is organized chronologically and thematically and includes material from the Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age. The first floor is dedicated to the Samnites, their sanctuaries, trade, and tombs. The collections also include a significant collection of votive statuettes of Hercules.

Historical traces of Samnite and Roman settlement are still preserved in many villages in Molise. The MAACK in Casacalenda offers a different approach to contemporary culture. The open-air museum combines the village surroundings, woodland, and contemporary art. It comprises 21 works by Italian and international artists, as well as permanent or temporary installations. Visitors can explore the grounds along the red, blue, or green circular trails or be accompanied by a local guide.

At the sanctuary on the southern flank of Monte Caraceno/Saraceno, at an altitude of around 1,000 meters, a wide view opens out over the Trigno Valley. The theater of the Italic sanctuary preserves the first three rows of stone seats with carved armrests shaped like winged lion paws. Another notable cultural event is the Sagra dei Misteri, a Corpus Christi procession featuring 13 so-called Mysteries, created by the artist Paolo Saverio di Zinno in 1748. The celebrations also include a procession with more than 100 ox carts decorated with paper flowers.

Landscapes and Trails

Molise's mountain landscapes include lakes, mountains, and nature reserves. Inland, panoramic views alternate with spectacular landscape scenes, showcasing the region's vast and varied natural environment. The Molise Tour organized by the park administration offers a concrete combination of landscape and culture: it combines a short walk with views of Lake Castel San Vincenzo and visits to the Zampogna Museum and the Abbey of Castel San Vincenzo.

The tratturi of Molise are a regional specialty. These ancient grass paths are associated with the seasonal transhumance of sheep flocks. Essentially, the tratturi cover the entire territory of Molise and offer unique routes through the region. In Campitello Matese, the landscape is also visited by cyclists and climbers.

Coast and Water Sports

Molise's character does not end inland. The region's coast has equipped beaches. There, visitors can enjoy water sports such as surfing, windsurfing, diving, and stand-up paddling. Thus, the mountain landscapes, lakes, and nature reserves are complemented by coastal destinations with a clearly defined range of water-based activities.

Cuisine

Guided walks for truffle hunting are also part of the regional experience. Cheese tastings are also offered in Molise directly in a maturation cellar.

Getting There

Molise has no airports of its own. Ground connections to the region are available from the nearby airports in Rome, Naples, or Pescara. Molise can be reached by train or car; according to the regional tourism portal, the region's roads are particularly suitable for travelers on two wheels.

For direct regional orientation, Isernia is also included.

For the overarching travel overview: Italy.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Abruzzo, Veneto, Basilicata, Campania, Sicily, Piedmont.