Campobasso, a city rich in history and tradition, has its roots in Samnite times, as evidenced by the cyclopean walls on St. Anthony’s Hill. Its official foundation dates back to 858 AD, during the Lombard era. The place name has several interpretations, but the most widely accepted hypothesis links it to “Campus Vassorum,” a place located below inhabited by artisans.
In the Middle Ages, Campobasso came under the counts of Bojano, the Normans and the Monforte. Cola Monforte, in the 15th century, gave a new order to the town with the construction of the walls and the restoration of the Castle, still one of the symbols of the ancient town. After several feudal transitions, the population redeemed the town in the 18th century, fostering its socio-cultural development to the nickname “Garden City” in the 20th century.
The historic center holds numerous Romanesque churches, including St. George, St. Bartholomew and St. Leonard, each with distinctive architectural features. The Monforte Castle, the National Archaeological Museum (Sannitico) and the Baroque church of St. Anthony Abbot, famous for its gilded wooden altar and carved organ, also stand out. Among the neoclassical buildings, the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity stands out for its imposing porticoed facade and frescoes by Amedeo Trivisonno.
The cultural heritage is enriched with the Savoia Theater, the Prefecture Palace and the 18th-century Villa de Capoa, a rare example of an “Italian garden” in southern Italy. Strolling through the village, one can admire the wrought-iron railings, a sign of the ancient artisan tradition of metalworking.
Campobasso is enlivened by fascinating traditional events. The Sagra dei Misteri, during Corpus Christi, sees the procession of thirteen living “Mysteries,” mobile structures designed by Paolo Saverio di Zinno. The May 31 Infiorata colors the streets with floral carpets in honor of Our Lady of the Mount. The historical re-enactment of the Crusaders and Trinitarians celebrates the peace between two local brotherhoods, while the November “Up and Down,” a non-competitive run, attracts thousands of participants. Good Friday, on the other hand, features a procession followed by a choir of about 700 singers. Hearing them in the alleys of the old town is an experience to be enjoyed.
Campobassan gastronomy is simple but tasty: typical dishes include cavatelli with pork sauce, caponata, pizza and soup, and Christmas sweets such as mostaccioli. Try local liqueurs, including Poncio and Crema Milk, perfect to accompany the famous Milk Pan.