Civitacampomarano, a village in Molise known for being the birthplace of Vincenzo Cuoco and Gabriele Pepe, has recently returned to the limelight due to the landslides that threaten its historic center. To counteract this phenomenon and enhance the town, the CVTà Street Fest was born, a street art festival that has attracted visitors and artists since 2015 thanks to the artistic direction of Alice Pasquini.
The origins of the village probably date back to the 10th century, with the merging of small settlements in the valley. Over time, Civitacampomarano came under the rule of several noble families, including the Del Balso, the di Sangro and the Mirelli. The village was the birthplace of important figures in Italian history: Vincenzo Cuoco, historian and politician, and Gabriele Pepe, patriot and man of letters who fought in the Napoleonic army and held political positions during the granting of the Bourbon Statute.
The town still has a medieval layout and is dominated by the majestic Angevin castle, with its fourteenth-century portal, drawbridge and crenellated towers. The surrounding area is characterised by gullies and archaeological finds from the Samnite and prehistoric eras, many of which were discovered along the “Celano-Foggia” sheep track. Among the places of interest, the birthplaces of Cuoco and Pepe and the Napoleonic cemetery, built following the edict of Saint Cloud, stand out, as does one of the few remaining examples in central-southern Italy.
Of particular note are the churches of Santa Maria Maggiore, San Giorgio Martire and Santa Maria delle Grazie, witnesses of the local religious tradition. The town’s gastronomy is rich in ancient flavours, with specialities such as “ciell arechine”, sweets made with shortcrust pastry, cooked must, honey and stale bread. One of the most heartfelt traditions is the lunch of San Giuseppe, which includes thirteen dishes offered to three people representing the Holy Family.
Among the most important events, the CVTà Street Fest stands out, an international event that, in addition to the creation of permanent works of art on the walls of the town, offers guided tours, concerts and tastings, helping to give new life to the village and to make its history and culture known to an ever wider audience.