Busso and Molise history

if ever you have wondered about molise or busso or campobasso then this info from the italian consulate website should help

History

Archaeological remains speak of ancient times: prehistoric and proto-historic villages, the rise of the Samnites, who settled here around the 7th century BC, the wars against the Romans, the fortified castles of the Middle Ages, the Barbarian invasions that changed the culture and landscape of the ancient Roman Samnius.

With the Norman conquest Samnius became Molise. The Region's name derives from the de Moulins family: Rodulfus de Moulins snatched Boiano and Venafro from the Lombards and became lord of a territory with ancient Samnius and new Molise at its heart. The Samnites arrived in this part of the peninsula on the wave of the vast migratory flow caused by the decline of the Etruscans' power, and established their religious centre, the symbol of tribal unity, on the heights of Pietrabbondante. They defended themselves against the Romans during the Samnitic Wars (243-290 BC) along the Apennines, at the end of which they fell under Roman dominion. Periods of war and peace alternated over the centuries leaving deep marks that survive in the architecture from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Rococo periods.

Curios

Molise is the primary producer of white truffles in Europe and its flourishing cheese industry provides dairy products sold in all the large Italian cities. Its various "Soppressate" are the pride of local tradition, followed by naturally cured pork salami.

Among the many popular festivals, recalling Molise's traditions for centuries, are the "ndocciata" torch-lit processions in Agnone, the cart races in S. Martino in Pensilis and Ururi and the Mysteries of Campobasso. Scapoli is the only village where the "zampogna", the classical shepherd's instrument, is still produced. The Region has an ancient tradition of silver and goldsmithing especially in Campobasso and Agnone. Famous also are the steelworks of Campobasso and Frosolone.

Tourist Itineraries

Matese is one of the most important groups the Apennines, the Region's highest mountain being Monte Miletto (2050m). To the west a rocky barrier rises up brusquely with vertical walls: Le Mainarde, scattered with villages, beech woods and forests of silver fir, such as the Montedimezzo and Collemeluccio forests, which have been declared Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO. In some municipalities, and also in the Abruzzo National Park, it is possible to catch sight of wildlife in its natural habitat. For example, in Pizzone, you can see the brown bear, and there is no lack of charming settings such as the upland plain of Valle Fiorita and the basin of Montenero Val Cocchiera, where wild horses graze.

Itineraries not to be missed are the climb up to Monte Miletto, or Sepino, the archaeological area which takes you to the village of Altilia. Another pleasant visit is to Isernia Trivento, the ancient Samnitic fortress, and then on to Termoli, the most important seaside resort on the Molise coast where boats leave for the Tremiti Islands.

Another itinerary takes in Venafro, and on to the Benedictine monastery of S. Vincenzo al Volturno. It then skirts the artifical lake of Castel S. Vincenzo and up to one of the loftiest municipalities in Italy, Capracotta (1,416m), between Monte Campo and Monte Capraro.

Finally, you can come upon the traces left by Homo Aeserniensis and his prehistoric camp dating back around 700,000 years - the most ancient settlement in Europe.