Busso, a small hillside village a few kilometers from Campobasso, lies between Mount Vairano and the Biferno River, in an area rich in Samnite history. The village offers striking views between the mountain and the Biferno valley, overlooking the mountains of Frosolone.
Busso’s origins date back several centuries before Christ, as shown by findings in the Monte Vairano – Bosco Faiete area, considered by some to be the site of ancient Aquilonia, the capital of Sannio. In medieval times it was a fief of the Counts of Molise, then of the Caracciolo and Giordano families.
The historic center is home to the Church of San Lorenzo, with a valuable wooden crucifix, the ducal palace and several other churches including Sant’Anna, Santa Tecla and Santa Maria in Valle. The latter, overlooking Oratino, is close to a small open-air theater with a picnic area. In the village, the main square is among the largest in Molise.
Monte Vairano and Bosco Faiete offer nature trails, with points of interest such as Giuseppe Altobello’s country house, the guardhouse and the remains of an ancient castle. The Samnite archaeological area, surrounded by perimeter walls, was home to about 20,000 inhabitants, a remarkable figure for the time.
The area is ideal for hiking and walking, and is home to traditional events such as the International Folklore Festival, the pizza scema festival, and the living nativity scene at Christmas time. Busso is also renowned for truffle gathering, with truffle hunting experiences and tastings.
The local gastronomy boasts typical dishes such as “cazzarieglie e fasciuole” (pasta with beans) and granone pizza with vegetables cooked under the coppa, evidence of a genuine culinary tradition linked to the territory.