Unique Gems Between Abruzzo and Molise

This abbey, in a distinctly Romanesque-Apulian style, is worth a visit just for the surrounding landscape: it’s set in a natural context of particular quietness and meditative peace.
The interior can be visited on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., while from Monday to Saturday it can be visited by appointment.
For further historical-artistic information and contacts to book your visit, please check the website.

Leave your car in this large car park to comfortably visit the centre of Santo Stefano di Sessanio on foot.

The Medicean Tower is a perfect example of the resilience of these places, deeply affected by the 2009 earthquake. Completely destroyed, it was rebuilt using the original stones, giving it back its role as the iconic building of Santo Stefano di Sessanio, in its striking position standing out over the village.
You can give a voluntary donation to enter, and a guide will take you up the tower in about half an hour, telling you its history.
To find out more about the tower and for information, visit the website.

How to describe this authentic gem: the Elisir del Poeta is a one-of-a-kind place. Human warmth, passion for one's work and sharing the riches of a territory are indeed the trump cards of this restaurant, which expresses Abruzzese excellence in a vegetarian key.
Let yourself be pampered by Barbara's dishes and Andrea's welcome, who will accompany you on a "culinary stroll" (as they like to call it) in an intimate and familiar environment.
The restaurant is open every day, except Wednesday, only for two hours a day (at lunch from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and at dinner from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.) and accommodates a maximum of 12 people, to ensure maximum care and attention to the customer.
Impossible to leave unsatisfied, in fact it will be a real disappointment to have to leave.
Don't miss out on this experience and be sure to book your table via the contacts on their Facebook page.

Retrieve your car and proceed to your next stop.

Stop at the Church of San Pietro ad Oratorium, a jewel of Romanesque ecclesiastical architecture nestled in the Abruzzo countryside.
The church, of ancient origins, was founded in the 8th century, thus dating back to the Longobard period of King Desiderius.
Simple but very intriguing, its main peculiarity is the "Magic Square", the enigmatic inscription "ROTAS OPERA TENET AREPO SATOR", which can be read from left to right and right to left, from top to bottom and from bottom to top.
Today it’s kept open thanks to the activities of a few volunteers. Don’t miss the opportunity to talk to them if you meet them: courtesy and passion for historical knowledge are at home here.
The abbey can be visited in August and September during the hours 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., while from the end of September onwards it can only be visited by appointment.
For more information and to book your visit, please consult the website.

A short walk through this pretty village will take you to one of Italy's wonders, a picturesque balcony over the sea where your gaze can sweep from the famous Costa dei Trabocchi, the ancient fishing machines typical of this area, to the Majella, the Mother Mountain of Abruzzo.
Enjoy a romantic and evocative moment in this area, where for a long time Gabriele D'Annunzio also lived, who later set his famous novel "The Triumph of Death" in San Vito Chietino.

Once in Termoli, start your exploration from Svevo Castle, so called because it was renovated by Frederick II of Swabia (Svevia in Italian) in 1247, but is actually thought to date back to Norman times. It’s an emblematic defensive building on the Molise Coast and a true symbol of the town.
A walk around its thick walls is a great way to start getting to know the town, since it’s located in a privileged position on the sea and the entire historic centre develops around it.
If you’re in the area on 15 August, don't miss the characteristic celebration of the burning of the castle, recalling the assault suffered at the hands of the Turks, a town festival much loved by the people of Termoli.
The castle is nowadays often chosen as a location for weddings and can only be visited inside on request from the municipality.

Have you ever passed through an alleyway only 41 centimetres wide? In Termoli you can, by walking down the narrowest alleyway in Italy. A gem of which the people of Termoli are very proud, dating back to the town's first urban agglomeration.
An amusing story has it that, in ancient times, when two gentlemen met in the alley, the less noble one had to step back to allow the more aristocratic one to pass. But, in the event that the two were of equal social rank, it could even come to a duel!

Park your car a stone's throw from Carafa Castle, the junction point of the magical village of Ferrazzano, which was also mentioned by the ancient Roman writer Livy.
The castle is now converted into a charming residence and so cannot be seen from the inside. It has medieval origins and was once an excellent point of control over the surrounding territory.
Carafa Castle offers a privileged vantage spot over the province of Campobasso, a veritable mosaic of natural shapes and colours that will appear right in front of your eyes.

Continue your walk through the narrow streets of Ferrazzano, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, until you reach the Lotus Theatre.
The Teatro del Loto is one of the smallest theatres in Italy, but is nonetheless incredibly beautiful. The contrast between the stone village of Ferrazzano and the modern forms of the theatre create a unique, harmonious context.
Check out the website for more information on the history of the theatre and the scheduled performances.

Before you leave the village of Ferrazzano, treat yourself to an indescribable view from this very valuable vantage point.
From here, you’ll have a wide view of the entire central part of Molise, and you can take spectacular photos that will serve as unique souvenirs of your visit to Ferrazzano.

To rest from the exertions of the journey, tonight you’ll stay in a relaxing place surrounded by nature: La Piana dei Mulini, once a rural hamlet that housed an old mill, now a popular hotel that maintains a very strong bond with nature and the concept of hospitality.
Here, in addition to enjoying a night of absolute rest, lulled to sleep by the flow of the river, you’ll have the opportunity to taste the quintessential traditional Molise dish: pizza and soup, prepared according to ancient culinary knowledge.
The next morning, start the day in the best way possible, savouring the varied breakfast included in your stay in this dream location.
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