Campobasso, with its Lombard origins, is the most populous city and the capital of Molise. Take at least half a day to stroll through its historic centre, in a maze of narrow streets set among palaces, churches and towers.
Among the many monuments of the city we mention the Monforte Castle, built around 1450 on the ruins of a Norman building, on a hill overlooking the entire city; the Cathedral of 1504, rebuilt in neoclassical style in 1805 after an earthquake; the Church of St. Bartholomew, in Romanesque style; the Church of S. Antonio Abate, built in 1515, and the Church of S. Antonio, built in 1925. Antonio Abate Church, built in 1572, which has a late Renaissance facade and a Baroque interior, decorated with paintings and frescoes of the ‘600; the Church of San Leonardo, dating back to the thirteenth century; the Church of San Giorgio, built in the twelfth century in Gothic style. The town also hosts the Museo del Presepe, which preserves a collection of ancient cribs, including some from the 18th century.
Head up to the highest part of town, along a flight of steps with panoramic views of the surrounding valley. On the way up you will come across the Church of San Bartolomeo, dating back to the mid-13th century, and the Terzano Tower. According to a legend, a sad love story took place here. In the 16th century, the two most powerful families of Campobasso were at war, but love knows no boundaries and the children of the respective families, Delicata and Fonzo, fell in love. The girl’s father, having discovered the secret love story, locked his daughter up in the tower and Fonzo, desperate, tried to forget her by enlisting in the army. Delicata died and her beloved, having discovered the sad news, became a monk.
A good time to visit Campobasso is during Corpus Christi, when the Mysteries parade through the streets of the city. These are allegorical representations of the Bible, made of a light and resistant iron alloy and carried on the shoulders of several bearers.
