This route takes in the towns of Montenero di Bisaccia, Mafalda, S Felice del Molise, Montemitro, Acquaviva Collecroce and Palata.
Starting at Termoli visit the superb cathedral and the castle of Frederick II.
The town has also restored its defensive towers which were used to warn against Saracen invaders.
Montemitro is interesting for the 'stokavo' tongue spoken by the inhabitants.
The people first arrived at the end of the 15th century to escape the Turks at home and many old customs have survived. These include handicrafts such as lacework.
The Slav influence also extends to the fantastically named Acquaviva Collecroce with its 'barocco-rococò' parish church of Santa Maria Ester.
On the main door visitors can see a Latin inscription remembering the naval battle off Lepanto in 1571 as well as a 'Maltese Cross'.
Guglionese also had a problem with the Turks and the city still remembers a monk by the name of Serafino who inspired the populous to slaughter Sulaiman and his troops below the walls of the town. |
