Campobasso
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 14 March 2022
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Without question the most important city in Molise, Campobasso ("low field" in English) is the regional capital as well as the capital of its own province. Its 50,000 population is more than double that of Isernia, the region's second city.
A good starting point for any visit to Campobasso is Castello Monforte, a 15th century castle which sits on a hill overlooking the city. If you have a car it's easy to drive up here, park the car and visit the castle from where you can get the best views of Campobasso. |
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Within the same complex as the castle, just across the car park is a Romanesque church: Santa Maria del Monte, one of three Romanesque churches all within a short walk of each other. Just to the left of the castle a path leads down the hill to the second church, Chiesa di San Giorgio with its almost identical façade, and then just another short walk along the same descent is the Chiesa di San Bartolomeo with its distinctive bell tower ("campanile" in Italian).
If you don't have a car you can still walk from the town centre up to the castle complex, a walk of around 10 minutes. The centre of Campobasso is quite modern compared to other Italian cities; it was the scene of a bloody battle between German and Canadian troops in World War Two which led to much destruction and subsequent years of rebuilding. The centre of the city lies around the large Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, and just a short walk from there you'll find another open space, the Piazza Gabriele Pepe, a colourful street with important buildings such as the Cathedral and various municipal structures.
Given its geographical position some way from the nearest airports (Naples 158 km and Pescara 169 km), the best ways to reach Campobasso are by car or train. The train station is in the city centre just a short walk from the main piazzas and most of the main sights are within a short walk of the centre, the furthest being the aforementioned Castello Monforte around 10 minutes away.
Campobasso isn't linked to Italy's motorways so if driving you'll be using a combination of the next levels of road down, the "Strade Statale" (with the prefix SS) and the "Strade Provinciali" (prefix SP).
If you don't have a car you can still walk from the town centre up to the castle complex, a walk of around 10 minutes. The centre of Campobasso is quite modern compared to other Italian cities; it was the scene of a bloody battle between German and Canadian troops in World War Two which led to much destruction and subsequent years of rebuilding. The centre of the city lies around the large Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, and just a short walk from there you'll find another open space, the Piazza Gabriele Pepe, a colourful street with important buildings such as the Cathedral and various municipal structures.
Given its geographical position some way from the nearest airports (Naples 158 km and Pescara 169 km), the best ways to reach Campobasso are by car or train. The train station is in the city centre just a short walk from the main piazzas and most of the main sights are within a short walk of the centre, the furthest being the aforementioned Castello Monforte around 10 minutes away.
Campobasso isn't linked to Italy's motorways so if driving you'll be using a combination of the next levels of road down, the "Strade Statale" (with the prefix SS) and the "Strade Provinciali" (prefix SP).
Comune di Campobasso
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Province: Campobasso
Region: capital of Molise Population: 47,535 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2022) Size: 55 km² Elevation: 701 metres |
Highlights: Castello Monforte, Piazza Gabriele Pepe
Close by: Jelsi, Oratino, Frosolone, Colletorto, Bagnoli del Trigno Main train station: Stazione Campobasso (city centre) Fly to: Naples International Airport (126 km) Recommended accommodation: Hotel San Giorgio |
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