View source for Molise

{{Short description|Region of Italy}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->| official_name = Molise
| native_name = {{native name|svm|Moliš}}
| native_name_lang = 
| settlement_type = [[Regions of Italy|Region]]
| image_skyline = 
| image_alt = 
| image_caption = 
| image_flag = Flag of Molise.svg
| flag_alt = 
| image_shield = Regione-Molise-Stemma.svg
| shield_size = 50px
| shield_alt = 
| nickname = 
| motto = 
| anthem = 
| image_map = Molise in Italy.svg
| map_alt = 
| map_caption = 
| pushpin_map = 
| pushpin_map_alt = 
| pushpin_mapsize = 
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| coordinates = {{coord|41.6997|14.6111|display=inline}}
| coor_pinpoint = 
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|Italy}}
| established_title = 
| established_date = 
| founder = 
| named_for = 
| seat_type = Capital
| seat = [[Campobasso]]
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type = [[Presidential system]]<ref name="Presidential">{{cite web |title=Federalism |url=https://www.idea.int/sites/default/files/publications/federalism-primer.pdf |publisher=idea.int |format=PDF |quote=In rare cases, subnational institutions may function very differently from the national level: in Italy, for example, the national government is parliamentary, but regional institutions are basically presidential in form, with directly elected regional governors. }}</ref>
| leader_party = [[Forza Italia (2013)|FI]]
| leader_title = President
| leader_name = [[Francesco Roberti (politician)|Francesco Roberti]]
| leader_title1 = 
| leader_name1 = 
| total_type = 
| unit_pref = 
| area_footnotes = <ref name="area">{{cite web|url=https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224|title=Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011|language=it|publisher=[[Italian National Institute of Statistics|ISTAT]]}}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 4460.65
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_max_m = 
| elevation_min_m = 
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-01 |title= Resident population by age, sex and marital status on 1st January 2026 |url=https://demo.istat.it/app/?i=POS&l=en |website=demo.istat.it |publisher=[[Italian National Institute of Statistics|ISTAT]] |access-date=2026-04-01}} (On the search form, choose the statistical region of the municipality in the Area section, the Region, the Province, and the name of the Municipality)</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-01 |title= Resident population by age, sex and marital status on 1st January 2026 |url= https://demo.istat.it/data/posas/POSAS_2026_en_All_files.zip |website=demo.istat.it |publisher=[[Italian National Institute of Statistics|ISTAT]] |access-date=2026-04-01}}The file URL linking on technical dataset.</ref>
| population_total = 285,940
| population_as_of = 2026
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym = {{langx|en|Molisan}}<br>{{langx|it|Molisano}} (man)<br>{{langx|it|Molisana}} (woman)
| population_note = 
| demographics_type2 = GDP
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/tgs00003/default/table?lang=en|title=EU regions by GDP, Eurostat}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1 = Total
| demographics2_info1 = €7.987 billion (2024)
| demographics2_title2 = Per capita
| demographics2_info2 = €27,829 (2024)
| timezone1 = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset1 = +1
| timezone1_DST = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset1_DST = +2
| postal_code_type = 
| postal_code = 
| area_code_type = [[ISO 3166 code]]
| area_code = IT-67
| blank2_name_sec1 = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] (2021)
| blank2_info_sec1 = 0.874<ref name="GlobalDataLab">{{Cite web|url=https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/|title=Sub-national HDI – Area Database – Global Data Lab|website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|access-date=2023-03-05}}</ref><br/>{{color|green|very high}} · [[List of Italian regions by Human Development Index|15th of 21]]
| blank_name_sec2 = [[First-level NUTS of the European Union#Italy|NUTS Region]]
| blank_info_sec2 = ITF
| website = [http://www.regione.molise.it/ www.regione.molise.it]
| footnotes = 
}}

'''Molise''' ({{IPAc-en|UK|m|ɒ|ˈ|l|iː|z|eɪ}} {{respell|mol|EE|zay}},<ref>{{Cite dictionary |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Molise |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322182253/https://www.lexico.com/definition/molise |url-status=dead |archive-date=2020-03-22 |title=Molise |dictionary=[[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref> {{IPAc-en|US|ˈ|m|oʊ|l|i|z|eɪ|,_|m|oʊ|ˈ|l|iː|z|eɪ}} {{respell|MOH|lee|zay|,_|moh|LEE|zay}};<ref>{{Cite American Heritage Dictionary|Molise|access-date=6 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/molise|title=Molise|work=[[Collins English Dictionary]]|publisher=[[HarperCollins]]|access-date=6 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Merriam-Webster|Molise|access-date=6 May 2019}}</ref>{{IPA|it|moˈliːze|lang}}) is an administrative [[Regions of Italy|region of Italy]] that covers {{convert|4460.65|km2|0|abbr=on}}, thus being the second smallest region in the country after [[Aosta Valley]];<ref name="area">{{cite web|url=https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224|title=Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011|language=it|publisher=[[Italian National Institute of Statistics|ISTAT]]}}</ref> it is located in [[southern Italy]], and has a population of 285,940 as of 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-01 |title= Resident population by age, sex and marital status on 1st January 2026 |url=https://demo.istat.it/app/?i=POS&l=en |website=demo.istat.it |publisher=[[Italian National Institute of Statistics|ISTAT]] |access-date=2026-04-01}} (On the search form, choose the statistical region of the municipality in the Area section, the Region, the Province, and the name of the Municipality)</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-01 |title= Resident population by age, sex and marital status on 1st January 2026 |url= https://demo.istat.it/data/posas/POSAS_2026_en_All_files.zip |website=demo.istat.it |publisher=[[Italian National Institute of Statistics|ISTAT]] |access-date=2026-04-01}}The file URL linking on technical dataset.</ref> Its regional capital and largest city is [[Campobasso]], which is also the capital of the [[Province of Campobasso]], one of the two provinces that make up Molise. The other one is the [[Province of Isernia]].

The region was born in 1963 from the division with [[Abruzzo]], with which it formed the [[Abruzzi e Molise|region of Abruzzi e Molise]].

Molise's small size and relative obscurity led it to become the subject of a popular meme "Molise doesn't exist".<ref>{{cite web | title=The Italian region that 'doesn't exist' | date=23 October 2019 | url=https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20191023-the-italian-region-that-doesnt-exist }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Molise Does(n't) Exist: Why to Visit this Beautiful Unknown Region in Italy | date=2 March 2024 | url=https://italysegreta.com/molise-does-not-exist-beautiful-unkown-region-in-italy/ }}</ref>

== Etymology ==
The name ''Molise'' appeared for the first time during the [[High Middle Ages]] as the name of a norman county located roughly in the territory between the ''comuni'' of [[Torella del Sannio]] and [[Duronia]], both in Molise.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Molise - Enciclopedia |url=https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/molise_res-686bf5b9-8bb1-11dc-8e9d-0016357eee51_(Enciclopedia-Italiana)/ |access-date=2026-01-14 |website=Treccani |language=it}}</ref> The county's name came from the name of the family that governed it, the [[de' Moulins]].

== History ==

=== Prehistory ===
[[File:Tavola di Agnone (frammento).png|thumb|Fragment of the [[Oscan Tablet]] (III century B.C.)]]
Evidence found in the [[Archaeological site|archeological site]] of [[Isernia La Pineta]] shows that Molise was inhabited as far back as the [[Paleolithic]] period. In this specific site traces of human presence dating up to 700 000 years ago were found, making Isernia La Pineta one of the most ancient and important sites in Italy and Western Europe. The fossil of a child that lived 583 000 years ago was found here, too, alongside the remains of animals and plants.<ref>[https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0140091&type=printable A Human Deciduous Tooth and New 40Ar/39Ar Dating Results from the Middle Pleistocene Archaeological Site of Isernia La Pineta, Southern Italy]</ref>

=== Pre-Roman and Roman era ===
Before the Romans arrived, Molise was part of the historical region of [[Samnium]], and was thus inhabited by populations of [[Samnites|samnite heritage]]. The tribe of the [[Pentri|Penti]] settled around the 7th century BC the area that is today comprehended in the city of [[Isernia]] and the country around [[Campobasso]], having frequent contacts with the [[Frentani]], an [[Italic peoples|Italic tribe]] that descended from the Samnites. Since the 4th century BC, the [[Roman Republic]]'s expansionist aspiration caused the Samnites to collide with the Romans. This contact eventually sparked the [[Samnite Wars]].

During the Second and the Third Samnite War the major cities such as Isernia and [[Bojano]], which had been the Pentri's capital, were captured by the Romans, although the Samnites were completely defeated and their territory was effectively conquered only after [[Sulla]] won the [[Social War (91–87 BC)|Social War]]. Under [[Augustus]] Molise's territory was placed under the ''[[Regio IV Samnium]]''.

=== Middle Ages ===
Molise's economy and demographics declined greatly during the [[late antiquity]], and when the [[Lombards]] arrived they found the region to be not densely populated and lacking of important urban centers.

Under the [[Duchy of Benevento]] Molise was divided into ''[[Gastald|gastaldates]].'' In his ''[[Historia Langobardorum]],'' [[Paul the Deacon]] writes that one of these ''gastaldates'' was the ''Gastaldate'' of Bojano, created around 667 AD by [[Grimoald, King of the Lombards|Grimoald I, King of the Lombards]], who gave it in concession to the [[Volga Bulgaria|bulgarian]] commander [[Alcek|Alzeco]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Grimaldi |first=Gregorio |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SbMWAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA131 |title=Istoria delle leggi e magistrati del regno di Napoli |date=1749 |publisher=a spese di Raffaello Gessari, nella Stamperia di Giovanni di Simone, con licenza de' Superiori |language=it}}</ref>

Many of the towns and villages of the region were founded under the Lombard domination, and the Lombards were also responsible in the diffusion of the cult of [[Saint Michael in the Catholic Church|Saint Michael]].

Between the 9th and the 11th century Molise was then ruled by the [[Normans]]. In 1045 [[Rudolf of Moulins]] descendend in southern Italy alongside the [[Hauteville family]], conquering what then became the County of Bojano. In this period of time, the area was starrting to be called ''comitatus molisii'' probably because of the Moulins', the ruling family's, name. After the Moulins lost power around the end of the 11th century, the County organically dismantled in smaller [[Fief|fiefs]].

After the reforms made by [[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick II]], the ''Contado di'' ''Molise'' became the seat of a [[justiciarate]] of which the administration was conjoined with the one of the ''[[Terra di Lavoro]]'', forming a single administrative district: the ''Justitiaratus Molisii et Terra Laboris''.

=== Modern era ===
In 1538 Molise was separated from the ''Terra di Lavoro'' and integrated within the ''[[Capitanata]]'', until in 1806 [[Joseph Bonaparte]] extended the french administrative model, based on provinces, to the [[Kingdom of Naples (Napoleonic)|Kingdom of Naples]]. In 1811 the borders of the provinces had been practically totally defined, and the Province of Molise's territory reached roughly the area that it has today.

From 1817 the Province went through a crisis because of the presence on the territory of phenomena of [[brigandage]].

== Geography ==
[[File:Confini del Molise.png|thumb|Molise seen from the satellite. Borders traced.]]
Molise has a surface area of  {{convert|4460.65|km2|0|abbr=on}}, and it is bordered by [[Abruzzo]] to the north, [[Apulia]] to the east, [[Lazio]] to the west, and [[Campania]] to the south. It has {{convert|35|km|0|abbr=off}} of sandy coastline to the northeast, lying on the [[Adriatic Sea]] looking out toward the [[Tremiti Islands]]. The countryside of Molise is mostly mountainous, with 55% covered by mountains and most of the rest by hills that go down to the sea.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=19 March 2023|language=it|title=Molise|url=http://www.unplimolise.it/turismo/territorio/territorio.htm}}</ref>

=== Orography and terrain ===
Molise's territory is mostly mountainous, and the mountainous area spans between the ''Appennino campano'' and the ''Appennino sannita'', both tracts of the much longer mountain range of the [[Apennine Mountains|Apennines]]. The region also features the [[Monti della Meta]], a minor massif that defines the border between Molise, [[Lazio]] and [[Abruzzo]], the [[Monti delle Mainarde]] and the [[Matese|Monti del Matese]], both minor mountain chains.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.movio.beniculturali.it/pm-mol/moliseinmostra/it/32/territorio-natura |access-date=2026-01-14 |website=www.movio.beniculturali.it}}</ref>

=== Hydrography ===
Part of the border between Molise and [[Abruzzo]] is defined by the course of the [[Trigno]], and part of the border between Molise and [[Apulia]] ([[Province of Foggia]]) is defined by there course of the [[Fortore]]. Other important rivers are the [[Biferno]] and the [[Sangro]]. The [[Volturno]], the main river in southern Italy in terms of length and basin size, and the [[Tammaro]] originate in Molise. The region is in general very rich in water resources.

Molise does not have on its territory natural lakes of relevant size. The biggest lakes in the region are the [[Lago di Guardialfiera]] and the [[Lago di Occhito]], both artificial lakes, the latter being shared with Apulia.

=== Climate ===
The climate of Molise can be classified with the [[Köppen climate classification]] as [[Mediterranean climate#Hot-summer Mediterranean climate|Mediterranean]]. Temperature gets lower significantly in the inland.

== Demographics ==
As of 2026, the population is 285,940, of which 49.7% are male, and 50.3% are female. Minors make up 12.8% of the population, and seniors make up 27.8%.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-01 |title= Resident population by age, sex and marital status on 1st January 2026 |url=https://demo.istat.it/app/?i=POS&l=en |website=demo.istat.it |publisher=[[Italian National Institute of Statistics|ISTAT]] |access-date=2026-04-01}} (On the search form, choose the statistical region of the municipality in the Area section, the Region, the Province, and the name of the Municipality)</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-01 |title= Resident population by age, sex and marital status on 1st January 2026 |url= https://demo.istat.it/data/posas/POSAS_2026_en_All_files.zip |website=demo.istat.it |publisher=[[Italian National Institute of Statistics|ISTAT]] |access-date=2026-04-01}}The file URL linking on technical dataset.</ref>
{{Historical populations
|1861 |355138|1871 |374415|1881 |381712|1901 |394953|1911 |396070|1921 |382653|1931 |377304|1936 |388268|1951 |406823|1961 |358052|1971 |319807|1981 |328371|1991 |330900|2001 |320601|2011|313660|2021|292150|source=[[National Institute of Statistics (Italy)|ISTAT]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Popolazione residente dei comuni. Censimenti dal 1861 al 1991|trans-title=Resident population of the municipalities. Censuses from 1861 to 1991|url=https://ebiblio.istat.it/digibib/Censimenti%20popolazione/Censimentipopolazioneresidentedal1861/RML0050288Pop_res_cens_1861_1991.pdf|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251112200324/https://ebiblio.istat.it/digibib/Censimenti%20popolazione/Censimentipopolazioneresidentedal1861/RML0050288Pop_res_cens_1861_1991.pdf |archive-date=2025-11-12|lang=it|publisher=[[National Institute of Statistics (Italy)|ISTAT]]}}</ref><ref name="timeseries">{{cite web |title=Resident population - Time series|url=https://esploradati.istat.it/databrowser/#/en/censpop/dashboards|publisher=[[National Institute of Statistics (Italy)|ISTAT]]}}</ref>}}

At 64.1 inhabitants per km<sup>2</sup>, the population density of Molise is far below the national density of 195.1. The region covers 1.5% of Italy's territory and less than 1% of its population. Out of the region's 2 provinces, the larger province in terms of area is [[Province of Campobasso|Campobasso]] at {{Convert|2925.41|km2|sqmi}}, while the smaller is [[Province of Isernia|Isernia]] at {{Convert|1535.24|km2|sqmi}}. The province of Campobasso is the more densely populated of the two provinces, with 71.0 inhabitants per km<sup>2</sup>, whereas Isernia registers 51.0 inhabitants per km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name="regportraits1">{{cite web |url=http://circa.europa.eu/irc/dsis/regportraits/info/data/en/itf2_pop.htm |title=Eurostat |publisher=Europa (web portal) |date=2001-01-01 |access-date=2009-05-05 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070805181526/http://www.circa.europa.eu/irc/dsis/regportraits/info/data/en/itf2_pop.htm |archive-date=2007-08-05 }}</ref>

In the period 1951–71, large-scale emigration to other countries of the European Union, to other parts of Italy and overseas led to a significant decline in the population of Molise. Negative net migration persisted until 1981. Large-scale emigration has caused many of the smaller towns and villages to lose over 60% of their population, while only a small number of larger towns have recorded significant gains. From 1982 to 1994, net migration has been positive, then followed by a negative trend until 2001. Between 2011 and 2021, the population decreased by 6.9%.

The region is home to two main ethnic minorities: the [[Molise Croats|Molisan Croats]] (20,000 people who speak an old Dalmatian dialect of Croatian alongside Italian), and those who speak the [[Arbëresh]] dialect of Albanian in five towns of "basso Molise" in the province of Campobasso.

=== Immigration ===
As of 2025, of the known countries of birth of 282,169 residents, the most numerous are: [[Italy]] (260,678 – 92.4%), [[Romania]] (2,921 – 1%), [[Argentina]] (2,908 – 1%), [[Germany]] (2,178 – 0.8%), [[Morocco]] (1,561 – 0.6%).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-01 |title= Resident population by sex, municipality and individual citizenship or country of birth from year 2002 |url=https://demo.istat.it/app/?i=RCS&a=&l=en |website=demo.istat.it |publisher=[[Italian National Institute of Statistics|ISTAT]] |access-date=2025-02-27}} (Click on 'View by country of birth', and on the search form, choose the statistical region of the municipality in the Area section, the Region, the Province, and the name of the Municipality)</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-01 |title= Resident population by sex, municipality and individual citizenship or country of birth from year 2002 |url= https://demo.istat.it/data/rcs/Dati_RCS_nascita_2025.zip |website=demo.istat.it |publisher=[[Italian National Institute of Statistics|ISTAT]] |access-date=2025-02-27}}The file URL linking on technical dataset.</ref>
{| class="wikitable floatright"
|+Foreign population by country of birth (2025)
!Country of birth
!Population
|-
|{{flag|Romania}}
|2,921
|-
|{{flag|Argentina}}
|2,908
|-
|{{flag|Germany}}
|2,178
|-
|{{flag|Switzerland}}
|2,096
|-
|{{flag|Morocco}}
|1,561
|-
|{{flag|Venezuela}}
|1,217
|-
|{{flag|Albania}}
|897
|-
|{{flag|Ukraine}}
|798
|-
|{{flag|United Kingdom}}
|761
|-
|{{flag|Pakistan}}
|719
|-
|{{flag|Canada}}
|707
|-
|{{flag|France}}
|686
|-
|{{flag|Bangladesh}}
|663
|-
|{{flag|Brazil}}
|629
|-
|{{flag|Nigeria}}
|560
|}

==Government and politics==
{{Main|Politics of Molise}}

===Administrative divisions===
Molise is subdivided into two provinces:

{| class="wikitable centered"
|-
! style="background:#ccf;"|Province
! style="background:#ccf;" |Population
(2026)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-01 |title= Resident population by age, sex and marital status on 1st January 2026 |url=https://demo.istat.it/app/?i=POS&l=en |website=demo.istat.it |publisher=[[Italian National Institute of Statistics|ISTAT]] |access-date=2026-04-01}} (On the search form, choose the statistical region of the municipality in the Area section, the Region, the Province, and the name of the Municipality)</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-01 |title= Resident population by age, sex and marital status on 1st January 2026 |url= https://demo.istat.it/data/posas/POSAS_2026_en_All_files.zip |website=demo.istat.it |publisher=[[Italian National Institute of Statistics|ISTAT]] |access-date=2026-04-01}}The file URL linking on technical dataset.</ref>
! style="background:#ccf;" |Area
(km<sup>2</sup>)<ref name="area" />
! style="background:#ccf;"|Density
(inh./km<sup>2</sup>)
! style="background:#ccf;"|Municipalities
|-
| [[Province of Campobasso]]
| 207,723
| 2,925.41
| 71.0
|84
|-
| [[Province of Isernia]]
| 78,217
| 1,535.24
| 51.0
|52
|}[[File:Map of region of Molise, Italy, with provinces-it.svg|350px]]
==Main sights and monuments==
[[File:Map Archeological sites I 1992 - Siti archeologici del Sannio e del Molise - Touring Club Italiano CART-TEM-092 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Archeological sites of Molise]]
=== [[Campobasso]] ===
[[File:Campobasso castello.jpg|thumb|[[Castello Monforte]]]]
[[File:Cattedrale campobasso.jpg|thumb|[[Campobasso]]'s Cathedral]]
*[[Castello Monforte]]
*Terzano Tower
*Campobasso Cathedral (Santissima Trinità)
*[[Castello Cercemaggiore]]
*Church of Sant'Antonio
*Church of San Bartolomeo
*Church of San Giorgio
*Savoia Theater
*San Giorgio Palace (Head of municipality)
*Provincial Museum of "[[Samnites|Sanniti]]"

=== Isernia ===
[[File:Saepinum (66).JPG|thumb|''Altilia'' ([[Sepino]])]]
*[[Isernia Cathedral]] (San Pietro)
*Fountain ''Fraterna''
*Monumental complex and museum of Santa Maria delle Monache Abbey
*[[Santi Cosma e Damiano, Isernia|Sanctuary of Santi Cosma e Damiano]]
*Archeological site ''Isernia La Pineta''
*Museum of Paleolithic in the site of ''La Pineta''
*Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise
=== Termoli ===
[[File:Torre Termoli.jpg|thumb|upright|Castle of [[Termoli]]]]
*[[Termoli Cathedral|Cathedral of San Basso from Lucera]]
*Medieval castle of [[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick II]]
*Sinarca Tower
*Rinascimental Gallery Museum
*Monumento dei Caduti
*Statues of Benito Jacovitti and Girolamo la Penna

=== [[Venafro]] ===
*[[Castle Pandone]]
*[[Venafro]] Cathedral
*Archeogical Museum of Venafro
*War Museum Winterline Venafro

=== Province of Campobasso ===
[[File:Collage Isernia.jpg|thumb|270px|[[Isernia]] collage]]
*[[Trivento]] Cathedral
*Church of Santa Maria Maggiore ([[Guglionesi]])
*Santuario di Santa Maria del Canneto (Roccavivara)
*Caldora Castle ([[Carpinone]])
*Castle Anjou ([[Civitacampomarano]])
*Longobard Castle ([[Tufara]])
*[[Bojano]] Cathedral (San Bartolomeo)
*Medieval fortress Civita Superiore ([[Bojano]])
*Angioina Tower ([[Colletorto]])
*[[Larino Cathedral]]
*Archeological site and Roman theater of ''Larinum'' ([[Larino]])
*Archeological site and museum of Altilia ([[Sepino]])
*[[Italic peoples|Italic]] sanctuary of San Pietro dei Cantoni ([[Sepino]])
*Megalithic wall of Saipins (Terravecchia zone – Sepino)
*Church of Santa Maria della Strada ([[Matrice]])
*[[Guardialfiera]] old town
*Capua castle ([[Gambatesa]])

=== Province of Isernia ===
*Abbey of San Vincenzo al [[Volturno]] ([[Castel San Vincenzo]])
*Marinelli Bells Factory and Museum ([[Agnone]])
*Theatre and Italic temple in the archeological site of [[Pietrabbondante]]
*Parish church and belfry of Saint Silvestro ([[Bagnoli del Trigno]])
*[[Bagnoli del Trigno]] (The pearl of Molise)
*Rupestrian church of [[Pietracupa]]
*Church of Sant'Antonio Abate ([[Pietracupa]])
*[[Capracotta]]
*[[Gothic Revival architecture|Neogothic]] [[basilica]] of Santa Maria Addolorata ([[Castelpetroso]])
*[[Venafro]] Cathedral
*Castle Pandone ([[Venafro]])
*Castle Pandone ([[Cerro al Volturno]])
*Abbey of Santa Maria del Carmelo ([[Roccavivara]])
*Castle D'Alessandro ([[Pescolanciano]])
*[[Colli a Volturno]]
*[[Fornelli]]

== Culture ==
{{see also|List of museums in Molise}}
Molise has much tradition from the religious to the pagan, many museums, archeological sites, musical and food events.

''Tradition''
* The Festival dei Misteri in [[Campobasso]] (Corpus Domini)
* Feast of Saint Pardo with ox chariot (cart) in [[Larino]] (25-26-27/May)
* Ox chariots (La Carrese) and feast of Saint Leo in [[San Martino in Pensilis]] (30 April and 2 May)
* The [[Ndocciata]] of [[Agnone]] (8-24/December)
* The Saint Basso feast in [[Termoli]] with procession of boats on the sea (4 August)
* "U lut'm sab't d'April" of [[Santa Croce di Magliano]] with benediction of animals (Last Saturday of April)
* Procession of Good Friday in [[Campobasso]]
* The procession of hooded on the Good Friday at [[Isernia]]
* The fire of Saint Anthony the Abbot in [[Colletorto]] (17 January)
* The feast of Saint Nicandro in [[Venafro]] (17 June)
* The ox chariots and feast in the village of [[Ururi]] and [[Portocannone]]
* The feast of San Biagio in [[San Biase]] (3 February), with the traditional game of the ''Morra'' and the distribution of Bread to all the inhabitants

''Arts, musical and food festivals''
* The international bagpipe festival of [[Scapoli]] in July
* The "Pezzata" of [[Capracotta]] the first Sunday of August
* The fish festival of [[Termoli]] in August
* The Staffoli Horses in August close [[Agnone]]
* The grape feast of [[Riccia]] in September
* The grain feast of [[Jelsi]] on 26 July
* The international festival of folk in the [[Matese]] in [[San Massimo]]
* The exhibition of black truffle in [[San Pietro Avellana]]
* The carnival of [[Larino]] in February
* "Gl' Cierv" in the carnival of [[Rocchetta a Volturno|Castelnuovo del Volturno]] the last Sunday of February

''Museums''
* National museum of paleolithic in [[Isernia]]
* Monumental complex and museum of Santa Maria delle Monache in [[Isernia]]
* Museum of "Tombolo" in [[Isernia]]
* Provincial museum of [[Samnium]] in [[Campobasso]]
* Museum of [[Zampogna]] (Bagpipe) in [[Scapoli]]
* Antiquarium of [[Saepinum|Saepinum-Altilia]] in [[Sepino]]
* Photographic museum "[[Tony Vaccaro]]" in [[Bonefro]]
*Archeological museum of [[Venafro]]
*War Museum Winterline [[Venafro]]
*Santa Chiara Museum [[Venafro]]

===Cuisine===
The cuisine of Molise is similar to the [[Abruzzo#Cuisine|that of Abruzzo]], though there are some differences in the dishes and ingredients.  The flavors of Molise are dominated by the many aromatic [[herb]]s that grow there. Some of the characteristic foods include spicy [[salami]], a variety of locally produced [[cheese]]s, dishes using [[lamb and mutton|lamb]] or [[goat meat|goat]], [[pasta]] dishes with hearty sauces, and vegetables that grow in the region.

In addition to [[bruschetta]], a typical [[antipasto]]  will consist of any of several meat dishes, such as the sausages [[capocollo]], the [[fennel]]-seasoned salsiccie al finocchio, [[soppressata]], [[ventricina]], frascateglie or sanguinaccio. In addition to these sausages, a variety of [[ham]] is available, such as smoked [[prosciutto]].  Frequently, the sausages are eaten with [[polenta]].

Main dishes of the region include:
*'' Brodosini'' made of [[tagliatelle]] in broth with pork cheek and fat
* ''Calcioni di ricotta'', a specialty of [[Campobasso]], made of fried pasta stuffed with [[ricotta]], [[provolone]], prosciutto, and [[parsley]], and usually served with fried [[artichoke]]s, [[cauliflower]], [[brain (food)|brains]], [[sweetbread]], potato [[croquette]], and [[scamorza]] cheese
* ''Cavatiegl e Patane'', or [[gnocchi]] served in a meat sauce of rabbit and pork
* A variety of pasta such as [[cavatelli]], [[lasagna]], or [[macaroni|maccheroni]] served with a [[ragù]] of lamb or goat
* ''[[Pasta e fagioli]]'', pasta-and-white-bean soup cooked with pig's feet and pork rinds
* ''Polenta d'iragn'', a polenta-like dish actually made of wheat and potatoes, sauced with raw tomatoes and pecorino
* ''Risotto alla marinara'', a [[risotto]] with seafood
* ''Spaghetti with diavolillo'', a strong chili pepper sauce
* ''Zuppa di cardi'', a soup of [[cardoon]]s, tomatoes, onions, [[pancetta]], olive oil
* ''Zuppa di ortiche'', a soup of [[Urtica dioica|nettle stems]], tomatoes, onions, pancetta, olive oil

Common second dishes (often meat and vegetable dishes) are:
* Lamb, the most popular meat, served grilled, roasted, or stewed
* Many organ meats of lamb, especially [[tripe]], are popular
* ''Coniglio alla molisana'', grilled rabbit pieces skewered with sausage and herbs
* ''Mazzarelle'', tightly wrapped rolls made with lung and tripe of lamb
* ''Ragù d' agnello'', braised lamb with sweet peppers, a specialty of Isernia
* ''Torcinelli'', rolled strips of lamb tripe, sweetbreads, and liver
* ''Pamparella'' or pork pancetta dried with peperoncino, soaked in wine and cut into small pieces. Pamparella is used to flavor sauces, in particular the sauce for dressing the tacconi, a rustic pasta made with flour and water.
* ''Saucicc', Paparuol' e Ova Fritte'', sausage with sweet pepper and fried eggs

Typical vegetable dishes may include:
* ''Carciofi ripieni'', artichokes stuffed with [[anchovy (food)|anchovies]] and [[caper]]s
* Peeled sweet peppers stuffed with breadcrumbs, anchovies, parsley, [[basil]] and peperoncino, sautéed in a frying pan and cooked with chopped tomatoes
* ''Cipollacci con pecorino'', fried strong onions and pecorino cheese
* ''[[Frittata]] con basilico e cipolle'', omelette with basil and onions

Fish dishes include red mullet soup, and spaghetti with [[cuttlefish]]. [[Trout]] from the [[Biferno]] river is cooked with a simple but sauce of aromatic herbs. Zuppa di pesce, a fish stew, is a specialty of [[Termoli]].

The cheeses produced in Molise are not very different from those produced in Abruzzo. The more common ones are Burrino and Manteca, soft, buttery cow's-milk cheeses; Pecorino, sheep's-milk cheese, served young and soft or aged and hard, called also "Maciuocco" in Molise; Scamorza, bland cow's-milk cheese, often served grilled; and [[Caciocavallo]], sheep's-milk cheese.

Sweets and desserts have an ancient tradition here and are linked to the history of the territory and to religious and family festivities. Most common are:
* ''Calciumi'' (also called ''caucioni'' or ''cauciuni''), sweet [[ravioli]] filled with chestnuts, almonds, chocolate, vanilla, cooked wine [[must]]s, and cinnamon and then fried
* ''Ciambelline'', ring-shaped cakes made in the countryside. They may be ''all'olio'' (with olive oil) or ''al vino rosso'' (with red wine).
* ''Ferratelle all'anice'', anise cakes made in metal molds and stamped with special patterns
* ''Ricotta pizza'', a cake pan filled with a blend of ricotta cheese, sugar, flour, butter, maraschino liqueur, and chocolate chips<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abruzzomoliseheritagesociety.org/cuisine.htm#abruzzo |title=Abruzzo and Molise Heritage Society |publisher=Abruzzomoliseheritagesociety.org |access-date=2013-03-12 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309041825/http://www.abruzzomoliseheritagesociety.org/cuisine.htm#abruzzo |archive-date=2013-03-09 }}</ref>

== Economy ==
Agriculture, involving small and micro holdings, is currently offering high-quality products. The agricultural holdings produce wine, cereals, olive oil, vegetables, fruits and dairy products. Traditional products are [[Lathyrus sativus|Grass Pea (cicerchia)]] and [[Farro]]. Molise's autochthonous grape is [[Tintilia]] which has been rediscovered during the last ten years, and many other PDO (DOP) wines, both red and white.

Though there is a large [[Fiat]] plant ([[Termoli]]), the industrial sector is dominated by the farming industry with small and medium-sized farms spread widely throughout the region. Another important industry is food processing: pasta, meat, milk products, oil and wine are the traditional products of the region. In the services sector the most important industries are distribution, hotels and catering, followed by transport and communications, banking and insurance. With few exceptions, in all sectors firms are small, and this explains the difficulties encountered when marketing products on a national scale.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://circa.europa.eu/irc/dsis/regportraits/info/data/en/itf2_eco.htm |title=Eurostat |publisher=Europa (web portal) |access-date=2009-05-05 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721131845/http://circa.europa.eu/irc/dsis/regportraits/info/data/en/itf2_eco.htm |archive-date=2011-07-21 }}</ref>

International tourism is growing largely as a result of the recent opening of international flights from other European countries to [[Abruzzo Airport|Pescara Airport]], which is not far to the north in Abruzzo and connected to Molise by the [[Autostrada A14 (Italy)|A14 highway]] (the only highway passing through Molise, by Termoli).

The unemployment rate stood at '''9.5%''' in 2020.<ref> {{cite web|url=https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=lfst_r_lfu3rt&lang=en|title=Unemployment NUTS 2 regions Eurostat|language=en}} </ref>

===Tourism===
Molise has many small and picturesque villages. Four of them have been selected by {{lang|it|[[I Borghi più belli d'Italia]]}} ({{langx|en|'The most beautiful villages of Italy'}}),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://borghipiubelliditalia.it/molise/|title=Molise|date=9 January 2017 |access-date=1 August 2023|language=it}}</ref> a non-profit private association of small Italian towns of strong historical and artistic interest,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/viaggi/2023/01/16/news/borghi_piu_belli_italia_14_nuovi_2023-383794441/|title=Borghi più belli d'Italia. Le 14 novità 2023, dal Trentino alla Calabria|date=16 January 2023 |access-date=28 July 2023|language=it}}</ref> founded on the initiative of the Tourism Council of the National Association of Italian Municipalities.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://borghipiubelliditalia.it/ |title = I Borghi più belli d'Italia, la guida online ai piccoli centri dell'Italia nascosta|access-date=3 May 2018|language=it}}</ref>

== Transport ==
The region doesn't have its own airport. However, other airports such as [[Abruzzo Airport]], [[Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport|Bari Airport]], [[Naples International Airport]] and [[Rome Fiumicino Airport]] are also used by air travellers from the region.

== Twin towns – sister cities ==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Italy}}
Molise is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:

*{{flagicon|POL}} [[Nowy Sącz]], [[Poland]]<ref name="Nowy Sącz twinnings">{{cite web|url=http://www.nowysacz.pl/miasta_partnerskie|title=Miasta partnerskie i zaprzyjaźnione Nowego Sącza|access-date = 2013-08-01|work=Urząd Miasta Nowego Sącza|language=pl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523172036/http://www.nowysacz.pl/miasta_partnerskie|archive-date=2013-05-23}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[2002 Molise earthquakes]]
* [[Ndocciata]], a torchlit parade traditionally held in Molise on Christmas Eve
* [[Molise Croats]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commonscat}}
*[http://www.regione.molise.it/ Official Site of the Regione Molise] {{in lang|it}}

{{Molise}}
{{Regions of Italy}}
{{Italy topics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Molise| ]]
[[Category:Regions of Italy]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1963]]