Located at the foot of the Matese mountain range, Campochiaro offers a fascinating mix of history, unspoiled nature and local traditions, most notably the cultivation of oregano, which earned it the nickname “oregano town.”
The name “Campochiaro” recalls the town’s flat and sunny location, a concept also echoed in the municipal coat of arms, depicting three sunlit mountains. The territory has seen several dominations: from the Samnites to the Longobards, to the Bulgarian knights sent in the Middle Ages by King Grimoaldo to repopulate it.
One of the most characteristic symbols is the circular tower from the Angevin period, a vestige of an ancient city wall with nine towers that surrounded the town, which originally had a pentagonal plan. Among the main monuments are the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, which houses a wooden statue by Di Zinno, and the Fontana urbica, rebuilt after the 1805 earthquake.
A few kilometers from the center, in Civitella, is an important archaeological site: an Italic sanctuary from the 4th century B.C. dedicated to Hercules.
Campochiaro, along with Guardiaregia, is home to the WWF Matese Oasis, established in 1997, a paradise for nature lovers. The area is rich in flora and fauna and is famous for two of the deepest abysses in Italy: Pozzo della Neve (-1050 m) and Cul di Bove (-913 m). For outdoor sports enthusiasts, the Oasis offers numerous trails ideal for trekking, mountain biking and winter snowshoeing.
Popular festivities include the patronal feast of San Marco (April 25), the Festa della Madonnella and the traditional Sagra dell’Origano.
Local cuisine offers typical dishes such as chestnuts with honey, pasta and beans (sagne e fasciuoli) and snails with chard, reflecting the simplicity and authenticity of the area’s gastronomic tradition.
Campochiaro thus represents a perfect blend of history, nature and genuine flavors, making it a fascinating destination for those who wish to discover the most authentic soul of Molise.