Molise at a Glance
Self-sufficient Molise is Italy's newest region, determined independent in
1963. Its Iron Age Samnite population fiercely defended themselves from the
Romans, staving off advances until about 290 BC. The archaeological
museum in Campobasso,
the region's capital, preserves rare artifacts from the warrior race, made nearly
extinct once finally bested in battle. Southwest of the city lies Saepinum,
a Samnite village occupied by the Roman conquerers.
Though once protected by Samnite walls measuring 3.7 m (12 ft) high and 3.0
m (10 ft) thick, Isernia
has been destroyed and rebuilt 12 times, a victim of war, natural disasters
and circumstance. Until 1979, concealed nearby were the ruins of a 700,000-year-old
village, the oldest found in Europe. The Museo
Nazionale della Pentria re-creates the site, where excavations continue.
Deserted Roman ruins at Pietrabbondante
offer an exclusive experience, and Venafro
and Termoli
are superb examples of medieval hill-towns. South of Termoli are Campomarino,
Portocannone,
Ururi
and Montecilfone,
Albanian villages where a rare dialect is spoken by modern descendants of their
ancient and feared militia.
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