Campomarino, Blue Flag Sea
When choosing a vacation spot or simply visiting a coastal town, the primary focus is naturally the… sea.
Campomarino, a town facing the Adriatic Sea, situated halfway between the mouth of the Biferno River (the longest in Molise) and the border with Puglia, places great emphasis on the quality of its sea. The more than six kilometers of coastline are characterized by a sandy and crystal-clear beach, earning the prestigious “Blue Flag” award multiple times over the years.
This award, which began in the 1980s, is granted to coastal areas that meet strict criteria, including beach cleanliness and, of course, the quality of the sea.
The shoreline offers a wide range of activities, with beaches, hotels, and campsites that host thousands of tourists during the summer season.
Campomarino, not just the sea
But Campomarino is not only about the sea, the beach, and the beautiful season. The tourist location, Campomarino Lido, is complemented and even overshadowed by the town itself.
The town consists of a charming historic center, a more modern expansion area, and many districts extending both in the “upper” part and closer to the sea.
The historic center, as usual, encapsulates the essence of southern towns. In the main square stands the primary church, Santa Maria a Mare, with its bell tower that rises above the roofs of the buildings in typical seaside town style. But there’s also a surprise beneath it. Upon entering, one notices a small staircase on the left leading to a lower floor. Here, one finds a crypt dating back to the 12th century, characterized by 15th-century frescoes.
However, the ancient part doesn’t end there. The narrow alleys between the low houses offer a walk, with sea views, which also serves as a historical-cultural itinerary. On the walls of the buildings, over the years, the artist Liliana Corfiati has created murals depicting sacred images and scenes of everyday life.
These murals also have a unique feature: they depict the customs and traditions of the Arbëreshë culture, as the town has Albanian origins.
From Origins to Today
As mentioned above, Campomarino has Albanian origins. Its foundation was due to some Albanians who, after fleeing their country due to defeat at the hands of the Turks, took refuge on the opposite shore of the Adriatic Sea, where they founded the current town. In fact, they “re-founded” it, as Campomarino was nearly destroyed by the earthquake of 1456.
These origins are still evident today, not only through the murals but also in the customs, traditions, and even the language. It’s not uncommon to hear someone speaking Albanian, as the language is still spoken by the local population.
However, the area was also inhabited long before the arrival of the Albanians. Numerous prehistoric remains have been found in the municipal area.
There are also two other historical periods with related testimonies:
- the first is the Torre Ramitelli, a defensive and lookout tower typical of the medieval period;
- during the Second World War, Ramitelli district hosted a military airport built by the Americans, and some traces of it are still visible today.
Lastly, it’s worth mentioning C.E.A. Le Fantine, a nature reserve nestled among trees just steps from the sea, home to a variety of plants, flowers, and animals.
Photo Credits: Paolo Pasquale – TurismoinMolise
