Renowned for knives, swords, and scissors, worked with fretwork and burin. This precious manufacture developed in the city in the thirteenth century as military craftsmanship of mighty combat scimitars. The industry has now been converted for "more peaceful" uses... #tuttitaly
In the Lombard period, in the area between the Biferno and Fortone rivers, Campobasso rises. This city, perched on a hill 700 m above sea level, is rich in history and culture and is the seat of the University of Molise.
The symbol of Campobasso is the Monforte Castle, which owes its name to Count Nicola II dei Monforte Gambatesa, who wanted it to be built in 1459. It is said that the castle's construction dates back to the year 1100.
This was seriously damaged. During the earthquake of 1456 and then renovated by Monforte. The court was inhabited until 1600, only to be abandoned entirely. Manfred of Swabia, Charles of Anjou, Louis of Anjou, Charles I, and King Frederick of Aragon lived there. The Monforte family crest is still clearly visible in the portal of the castle, one of the most influential families in the history of the city.
Campobasso also tells its story through the various churches that populate it.
Near the castle, the Church of San Giorgio, one of the oldest, is at the highest point of the city, whose construction dates back to 1000 or 1100.
The church of Santa Maria Maggiore was built during the 1300s to bury the city's lords. Of the original church remains the Gothic portal of 1427 and the statue of the Madonna, in wood, of 1334. Inside, it houses a room dedicated to San Ina, which preserves all the objects the Saint used during his stay in Campobasso.
In the Church of San Bartolomeo, it is possible to admire a plaque dating back to the 1st century AD.
Inside the church of San Leonardo, it is possible to admire several paintings made between 1500 and 1600.
We also remember the ancient Church of Santa Maria Della Croce, built around 1000 by the Crusaders.
The church of Sant'Antonio Abate was built to create an oratory outside the city walls. Inside, the altars contain beautiful paintings from the Neapolitan school of the seventeenth century.
The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity was built in 1504 at the behest of Andrea de Capua. Destroyed during the earthquake of 1805, it was rebuilt in 1829, to be later, in 1862, set up as a barracks; then opened again for worship and closed again in 1915 to become a military hospital. On June 29, 1927, Bishop Romita proclaimed this building the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity.
Another place mainly intended for meditation and prayer is the church of the Madonna Della Libera, built according to tradition at the behest of San Pietro Celestino during 1290.
The Church of San Giovanni Battista is said to have hosted San Francesco d'Assisi in 1222.
A destination for visits by lovers of Latin culture and philologists is the Church of Santa Maria de Foras, which preserves various Latin inscriptions. On the portal, you will find the note "Veniam Sibi criminis orans," dated 1177, in which forgiveness is asked for a sin committed.
Outside the town, perched on a hill, stands the Church of San Giovannello. It is only open on August 29 of each year, and inside, it is possible to admire the original statue of San Giovannello.
On March 25, 1589, the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was founded and erected to celebrate peace between the Congregation of the Trinitarians and the Crusaders.
The historic center of Campobasso is also full of undergrounds. These were created following the extraction of the stone used to build the city palaces. Following the earthquake of 1456, Count Monforte increased the city's safety, increasing the walls and connecting all these underground voids for military purposes. Passing underground, it was possible to reach the city's most distant points more quickly or escape from Campobasso when it was in a state of siege.
