Molise, the second smallest region in Italy, is one of the least known, even among Italians. The picturesque land has pristine beaches of the Adriatic coast on one side and, an hour's drive away, the 2,000-meter-high peaks of the Apennine Mountains.
Variety of landscapes —
Molise, the second smallest region in Italy, is one of the least known, even among Italians. The picturesque land has pristine beaches of the Adriatic coast on one side and, an hour's drive away, the 2,000-meter-high peaks of the Apennine Mountains.
Courtesy of Daniele Kihlgren
Saepinum is one of Italy's best preserved examples of a provincial Roman town. It's far less crowded than more celebrated sites.
Saepinum —
Saepinum is one of Italy's best preserved examples of a provincial Roman town. It's far less crowded than more celebrated sites.
Assessorato Turismo Molise
The towns of Portocannone, Montecilfone, Ururi and Campomarino are known as "Little Albania." Road signs are in both Italian and the local dialect, a version of Albanian called Arberesh.
Little Albania —
The towns of Portocannone, Montecilfone, Ururi and Campomarino are known as "Little Albania." Road signs are in both Italian and the local dialect, a version of Albanian called Arberesh.
Courtesy of Rosa Montazzoli
A top attraction in Termoli is the brodetto, a fish soup served with a paper bib at Da Nicolino restaurant. Secc co i fave -- beans and cuttlefish -- is another typical specialty.
Brodetto —
A top attraction in Termoli is the brodetto, a fish soup served with a paper bib at Da Nicolino restaurant. Secc co i fave -- beans and cuttlefish -- is another typical specialty.
Assessorato Turismo Molise
Termoli is a walled port town with whitewashed houses and fishermen's huts. The castle and duomo still bear the signs of attacks by Turkish invaders.
Termoli —
Termoli is a walled port town with whitewashed houses and fishermen's huts. The castle and duomo still bear the signs of attacks by Turkish invaders.
Enit Photo Archive
Ancient ruins from as far back as the 5th century BC at Pietrabbondante include a necropolis, a sanctuary and several temples. At an elevation of 1,000 meters, it has impressive views over Molise's rugged hills.
Pietrabbondante —
Ancient ruins from as far back as the 5th century BC at Pietrabbondante include a necropolis, a sanctuary and several temples. At an elevation of 1,000 meters, it has impressive views over Molise's rugged hills.
Assessorato Turismo Molise
Campitello Matise (pictured) and Capracotta are the area's top ski resorts. Campitello is the larger of the two and has a network of slopes. Capracotta is known for its cross-country skiing.
Campitello Matise —
Campitello Matise (pictured) and Capracotta are the area's top ski resorts. Campitello is the larger of the two and has a network of slopes. Capracotta is known for its cross-country skiing.
Assessorato Turismo Molise
Molise's interior is dotted with crumbling medieval villages and fortified castles, such as the ghost town of Rocchetta al Volturno. The former monastic court was abandoned after the fortress was bombed in World War II.
Rocchetta al Volturno —
Molise's interior is dotted with crumbling medieval villages and fortified castles, such as the ghost town of Rocchetta al Volturno. The former monastic court was abandoned after the fortress was bombed in World War II.
Courtesy of Daniele Kihlgren
Caciocavallo stretched-curd cheese is a local specialty. It's hung from a knotted cord. Locals call it "lachrymose" due to its distinctive teardrop shape.
Local cheese —
Caciocavallo stretched-curd cheese is a local specialty. It's hung from a knotted cord. Locals call it "lachrymose" due to its distinctive teardrop shape.
Assessorato Turismo Molise
Molise's mountain air makes for fine meats. One local delicacy is ventricina, a huge, 12-kilo oval of salami stuffed with chili peppers.
Ventricina —
Molise's mountain air makes for fine meats. One local delicacy is ventricina, a huge, 12-kilo oval of salami stuffed with chili peppers.
Accademia della Ventricina
Locals are proud of their history of defending their land against attack. Each August, Termoli hosts a festival reenacting the 1566 battle in which the townsfolk defeated the forces of Suleiman the Magnificent.
Termoli's August festival —
Locals are proud of their history of defending their land against attack. Each August, Termoli hosts a festival reenacting the 1566 battle in which the townsfolk defeated the forces of Suleiman the Magnificent.
Oscar De Lena
It's a short ferry ride from Termoli to the Tremeti archipelago. The islands were used as an internment camp for political prisoners during Mussolini's fascist regime. These days they're a popular diving spot.
Tremiti Islands —
It's a short ferry ride from Termoli to the Tremeti archipelago. The islands were used as an internment camp for political prisoners during Mussolini's fascist regime. These days they're a popular diving spot.
Enit Photo Archive