Molise

Molise is the second smallest region in Italy. It is a region of hills and mountains, facing the Adriatic Sea, north of the Gargano promontory. It is a continuation of Abruzzo’s landscape, and inn fact Abruzzo and Molise constituted a single administrative district until 1963. Among the southern regions, it is one of the richest in waterways, which cross the land from the Apennine watershed to the Adriatic Sea. Other rivers, affluent of Volturno, flow into the Tyrrhenian Sea, after crossing the region of Campania.

The citizens of Molise are distributed throughout the entire region in smaller towns, so the largest city, Campobasso, has only 50,000 residents. This small region does not draw many tourists, but those people who travel here will be richly rewarded with archeological digs, medieval towns, Romanesque churches, Renaissance frescoes and gourmet cuisine.

The capital of Molise is Campobasso. Isernia is the capital of the respective province.

CAMPOBASSO is the regional capital, is about as appealing as you would expect. A modern, rather faceless town that was once known for its cutlery industry. It's a good base, though, for the remarkable ruins at Saepinum.

ISERNIA is situated on a rocky crest rising between the Carpino and the Sorsi rivers. Isernia still reflects with its road plan the ancient structure of the Roman town, with a central wide street and side streets on both sides. It is now the Capital city of the province of Isernia, and a flourishing center of pasta makers, stone work, embroidery crafts.

GETTING AROUND The S17 traverses the interior of Molise. The costal highway (A14-E55) heads south Abruzzo and Molise into Puglia.