Campobasso between the Castle, Museums and Panoramic Trail

Campobasso combines a distinctive castle, historic churches, diverse museums, a panoramic trail and a carefully designed garden area. If you would like to combine art and history with walks, you will find a variety of impressions here within a compact thematic area.

Museums and special cultural experiences

The Museo dei Misteri displays thirteen procession machines in its Hall of the “Ingegni”. The museum also includes two exhibition rooms and a screening room. The Misteri play a special role on Corpus Christi Sunday: thirteen procession machines carried by people then make their way through the city streets. In this way, the collection and the religiously influenced urban event represent two different aspects of the same tradition.

The Museo archeologico nazionale di Campobasso focuses on Samnite archaeological contexts. The materials on display include amber, ceramics, bronze, ivory, marble and burial contexts. The museum is housed in the 18th-century Palazzo Mazzarotta in the historic centre of Campobasso. The Museo di Palazzo Pistilli presents six centuries of art history through works from a once-private collection that was made public at the request of its owners.

Historic buildings and sacred art

The Teatro Savoia was built between 1923 and 1925 and inaugurated in 1926. Its entrance, foyer and the trough vault above the auditorium are decorated with frescoes by Arnaldo De Lisio dating from 1925. The churches also tell the story of changing eras: the Santuario di Santa Maria Del Monte was built in the Late Middle Ages as a private chapel for the feudal lords of Campobasso.

Sant’Antonio Abate was converted in 1572 by the Congrega delle Maestranze from an oratory located outside the city walls into a church. Four Baroque altars frame important Neapolitan paintings from the 17th century. The original building of the Church of the Santissima Trinità was erected in the early years of the 16th century at the behest of Andrea De Capua. On 29 June 1927, the church was elevated to cathedral status after the Holy See transferred the diocese from Bojano to Campobasso.

Castle, lanes and green paths

After the Santa Barbara earthquake of 1456, Count Nicola II di Monforte had Castello Monforte rebuilt. The castle dominates the historic centre of Campobasso. Below the castle, you can walk along a hillside through narrow, rustic lanes or via stairways. These paths give the urban experience an immediate spatial dimension that can be explored on foot.

The Parco della Via Matris is a panoramic trail that leads from the foot of Sant’Antonio Hill to its summit. At the same time, it is a site of community importance in the city centre of Campobasso. For more tranquil garden scenery, there is Villa de Capoa: the almost 16,000 m² garden area features tree-lined avenues, hedges, small squares, winding paths, statues and fountains.

A piquant speciality

Among the distinctive culinary experiences is L’Abatina, a particularly spicy De.Co. sausage. It complements the themes of museums, churches and walks with a regional flavour.

More destinations for your planning

If you would like to combine Campobasso with other places in your travel plans, you can also view Portocannone, Colle d'Anchise, Guardialfiera, Rotello, Ururi, Matrice, Guardiaregia and Monteverde.

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