Molise, Italy

After the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD Molise was invaded by the Goths (535 AD) and then by the Lombards in 572, and annexed to the Duchy of Benevento. A very troubled period began with the invasions of the Saracens, that in 860 AD destroyed Isernia, Telese, Alife, Sepino, Boiano and Venafro. By the 10th century there were 9 countdoms: Venafro, Larino, Trivento, Bojano, Isernia, Campomarino, Termoli, Sangro, Pietrabbondante.

In 1095 the most powerful of them, Bojano, came under the rule of the Norman Hugo I of Molhouse, who most probably gave his name to the region; his successor Ugo II was Count of Molise in 1144.

In the 16th century Molise was included to the Province of Capitanata (Apulia) and in 1806 became an autonomous Province, included in the Abruzzi region.

In the 19th century there was a general worsening of the economic conditions of the population, and this gave rise, under the newly established Kingdom of Italy (1861), to brigandage and a massive emigration not only abroad but also to more industrial Italian areas.

A heavy destruction took place in World War II, until finally the Allied Forces were able to land at Termoli, in September 1943. Huge Allied land forces were based in Campobasso which was called "Maple Leaf City" by the Canadian troops.

Molise is the youngest Italian region, since it was established in 1963, when the region "Abruzzi e Molise" was split into two regions, which, however, still today maintain a common identity both geographically and in their historical and traditional heritage.

Molise is a narrow strip of hilly terrain covering less than 550 square miles. For millennia it has been a natural bastion, first of the Samnites, legendary challengers who were eventually defeated by the Romans. Today its heavily forested slopes are dotted with castles, many in excellent stages of preservation. They overlook friendly medieval villages, glorious ancient ruins and some of the most uncontaminated nature in all Europe - so pristine, in fact, that UNESCO has chosen Molise for two of its four Italian biosphere locations.

Campobasso, Isernia and Termoli

The biggest towns in Molise are Campobasso, Isernia and Termoli. They are attractive townsand provide good starting points for seeing the countryside. Termoli also has a good beach and is one of the best places to get a boat to the Tremiti islands.