L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 www.italoamericano.org 20 L'Italo-Americano T u s c a n y , S i c i l y , S a r d i n i a a n d A p u l i a . O r L o m b a r d y a n d T r e n t i n o A l t o - Adige, Emilia Romagna and U m b r i a . T h e s e a r e t h e r e g i o n s w e t h i n k a b o u t when considering a holiday in Italy, right? Yet, our beloved Belpaese is formed by 20 regions and e a c h o f t h e m h a s a reputable claim to fame, as you'd expect from a place as rich in history and creative flair as Italy. There is one among them, however, that t e n d s t o p a s s u n d e r t h e r a d a r w a y t o o o f t e n , perhaps because it's one of t h e s m a l l e s t , p e r h a p s because it's the youngest, as it was instituted only in 1 9 7 3 , w h e n i t b e c a m e independent from Abruzzo. A s m e n t i o n e d b y L i z Boulter of The Guardian in a recent article, Molise is the region Italians forget a b o u t m o r e o f t e n : q u i t e simply, as a popular Twitter hashtag states, il Molise non esiste, Molise, for some, doesn't exist. A n d t h e r e i s n o t h i n g m o r e w r o n g , o f c o u r s e , because this little parcel of land in southern Italy has a l o t t o s a y a n d s h o w f o r itself: home to the Samnites in pre-Roman times, it was p a r t o f t h e K i n g d o m o f N a p l e s b e f o r e I t a l y w a s u n i f i e d i n 1 8 6 1 . W h e n r e g i o n s w h e r e c r e a t e d , M o l i s e f o r m e d , w i t h Abruzzo, Abruzzi e Molise. In 1973, finally, it became "independent." Throughout the second half of the 20th century, the small, largely rural region s a w m o s t o f i t s y o u n g e r generation move away to seek fortune in other parts of the country, leaving its villages and towns nearly empty. And while, in recent years, the region officially i n a u g u r a t e d a s e r i e s o f initiatives to repopulate s o m e a r e a s , o f f e r i n g financial support to young p r o f e s s i o n a l s w i l l i n g t o s e t t l e a n d w o r k t h e r e , Molise remains today little populated. I n s p i t e o f i t s n a t u r a l beauty and artistic interest, it is also free from the large tourist crowds you'd expect in other parts of Italy: now, this is quite important in t h i s d a y a n d a g e , w h e n s o c i a l d i s t a n c i n g i s s t i l l compulsory and seeking r e l a x a t i o n a w a y f r o m c o n f u s i o n b e c a m e t h e ultimate vacation goal. Molise could really be the perfect place to visit, then. But where? If you are after a truly relaxing trip, filled with traditional locations and history, you should look no further than Campobasso, the region's capital. It is home to one of Italy's most b e a u t i f u l c a s t l e s , t h e Castello di Monforte, n a m e d a f t e r N i c h o l a s I I M o n f o r t e , w h o h a d t h e fortress restored after an e a r t h q u a k e i n t h e 1 5 t h century: from its terrace, you can enjoy a view that, on good days, will let you FRANCESCA BEZZONE see the Adriatic Sea. If you h a v e a p e n c h a n t f o r picturesque hamlets, then B a g n o l i d e l T r i g n o is right for you: also known as t h e p e a r l o f M o l i s e , t h e v i l l a g e i s h o m e t o t h e Castello di San Felice and the Church of San Silvestro, whose belfry has been built directly on rock. With its winding alleys and medieval charm, Bagnoli di Trino is a perfect place to enjoy the beauty of history. Molise has something also for the lovers of ancient Classics: in Larino you can visit a Roman amphitheater a n d b e a u t i f u l R o m a n mosaics are still visible in Continued to page 22 The quaint village of Sepino, in Molise (Photo: Giambattista Lazazzera/Dreamstime) A little known paradise, the central region of Molise ALL AROUND ITALY TRAVEL TIPS DESTINATIONS ACTIVITIES

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