Larino (Larinum in Latin) is an Italian town of 6 623 inhabitants
in the province of Campobasso in Molise. Seat of some public
institutions and services, including the court and the maximum
security prison, it also has various production activities operating
mainly in the agricultural sector and small industry.
Remarkable are the historical testimonies of past eras, especially
of the Roman age, with archaeological sites of considerable interest
such as the amphitheater, the baths, the forum and mosaics, from the
Middle Ages such as the Romanesque-Gothic cathedral dedicated to the
patron saint San Pardo, from the characteristic and unique 13-ray
rose window, the ducal palace founded in the 11th century and
enlarged and modified over the centuries, currently home to the
civic museum, the municipal library and the historical archive, the
museum and the diocesan archive at the interior of the bishop's
palace, the convent of the Capuchin friars and some palaces and
noble villas of the 18th and 19th centuries.
The city of
Larino also boasts the first episcopal seminary of Christianity,
founded by Bishop Belisario Balduino (1555-1591) on January 26,
1564, the same day when Pius IV confirmed the decrees of the Council
of Trent.
Its municipal territory
also includes the localities of Farese, Lago Di Liscione, Romualdi,
Travaglini, Vizzarri.
medieval village
The historic center is
characterized not only by the Palazzo Ducale and the Cathedral, but also
by some monuments from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The towers,
the villas, the boundary walls and some churches present in the village
testify to a somewhat evolved social life in past centuries. There are
many palaces of local historic families that have had weight in the life
of Larino.
Roman amphitheater
Made at the end of the 1st
century AD. following a bequest from a citizen of Larinum of senatorial
rank. To achieve it, the road system of the ancient Larinum was
modified, making it necessary to excavate the rock more than six meters
below the road level.
Larino Amphitheater 1st century BC
Roman
amphitheater 1st century BC
Ara Frentana
It is an area along
the Sannitica state road 87 reserved for a public garden and for the
display of archaeological material, such as finds from funerary
monuments and public buildings from the Roman era.
Thermal
complex: 4 thermal baths were built in the Roman Larinum, arranged in
different points of the city, two located near the main consular roads.
One plant is buried, it consisted of two apsidal rooms, one of which was
paved in mosaic, while the other was used as a cistern. The second plan
is partially preserved, there are apsidal rooms as well as the square
plan of some rooms. The third thermal complex has disappeared, according
to written testimonies it must have had 10 rooms, the fourth thermal
complex is located south-east of the amphitheater in the park of Villa
Zappone, it consists of underground rooms of different shapes, one of
which has an apse, with brick slab flooring. A large room was found in
each of the four baths, the great hall, always decorated with mosaics
with animal figures, such as dolphins and sea monsters.
Roman forum:
it is the public area of the Roman city, located 100 meters away.
north-east of the amphitheater: it is composed of a sacred building with
a square plan elevated on a high base, built with the opus latericium
technique, and other rooms located at a lower level, with respect to the
temple. These rooms consisted of a platform supported by an opus mixtum
wall, a colonnaded portico, rectangular halls, and an apse area
characterized by a series of niches.
Hellenistic domus: the
excavations of Torre Sant'Anna, not far from the archaeological area of
Larinum, have brought to light a public area with porticos, apsidal
rooms and a sacred building. There is also a partially destroyed domus,
characterized by a large square atrium in polychrome pebbles; a corridor
and in the center an impluvium basin to collect rain water; the basin is
decorated with a Hellenistic-style mosaic, with portraits of an octopus
and four groupers. Around the room there were other rooms which were
accessed by crossing rooms with stone thresholds and bronze supports.
Domus with mosaic: the building has a rectangular plan with an apse,
which is accessed through a door made of limestone blocks. The floor has
a white mosaic with black tiles, with portraits, geometric and floral
motifs. The apsidal trend is underlined by a frame of two bands, on
which stand out Greek crosses alternating with squares and a series of
rhombuses and triangles. In the apse area, the floor is lunette-shaped,
while in the center there is a circular cistern with a truncated cone
shape, with the walls covered in bricks.
Duomo - Cathedral of San
Pardo
The inhabitants of Larino, persecuted in the early Middle Ages
by the Saracen and Hungarian hordes, were forced to build a new town in
a more defensible area, but not very far from the Roman city: the
current historic center is made up of the new nucleus where Larino
recovered soon all its importance. Here a new cathedral dedicated to the
Assumption and San Pardo was built. It is a Gothic-Romanesque church
consecrated on 30 July 1319 on an older building: we have news of it as
early as the 9th century. Among the most beautiful in Molise, even if it
imitates the original models of the Termoli cathedral, it has a
horizontal crowning prospectus and a Gothic portal attributed to
Francesco Petrini from Lanciano. It is decorated with intertwining
garden columns and in the ogival lunette there is a representation of
Christ on the cross flanked by the Virgin and Saint John. At the top
there are two mullioned windows delimited by a rich frame and a large
Apulian-type rose window with unusually thirteen rays. The interior has
three high naves divided by pointed arches (five on the left and two on
the right) resting on robust cruciform pillars with elaborate capitals.
The apse with a slender single lancet window has a square plan covered
by a cross vault. The walls were originally covered by frescoes from the
late fourteenth and full fifteenth centuries, of which some shreds
remain representing Sant'Orsola and her companions, San Michele
Arcangelo and San Benedetto. On the right side of the portal rises the
bell network due to several hands: the base is the work of Giovanni da
Casalbore from 1451, but it is certainly to be considered a
reconstruction on a previous structure; the first floor, with walls
covered in bricks in a herringbone pattern, is the work of 1523. The
chapel of the Annunciation dates back to 1532 where a beautiful arch is
flanked by two elegant pilasters decorated with the coats of arms of the
bishop of Larino Giacomo Sedani and of the city. A frescoed Annunciation
is enclosed between the walls. From the same period are the tabernacle
and a relief depicting Christ blessing between angels and cornucopias
placed on the wall of the left aisle. Above the two stone reliefs is the
Immaculate Conception, a canvas attributed to Solimena. In the sacristy
there is the Baroque high altar and the bishop's throne in inlaid
polychrome marble, works by the Neapolitan Lorenzo Troccoli. Of note are
two wooden panels representing the Last Supper and the entrance to the
body of San Pardo in Larino, ornaments of a confessional that has now
disappeared.
The furnishings of the co-cathedral are completed by
various canvases including those by Francesco Antonio Borzillo, made
between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. As evidence of the
strong religiosity of the people of Larinesi, the co-cathedral preserves
a rich and precious collection.
Ducal Palace
Built between
1100 and 1200 by the will of the wealthy Normans, it was used as the
residence of the families who governed the fate of Larino and as a
prison in which bandits and other criminals were locked up. Its location
was considered strategic, as it was built between the "Porta di Piano"
and the "Porta da Basso" which until the mid-nineteenth century were the
only entrances to the Frentana town. The Palazzo retained its fortress
structure until the mid-seventeenth century and there were two entrances
to it. Both led to an internal courtyard which led to a cellar for
storing wine, and to a noble floor where various frescoed rooms were
located.
In the mid-nineteenth century it was purchased by the
Decurionate of the Municipality of Larino.
From its construction
to today, the building underwent numerous changes, with the destruction
of its old parts and the construction of new ones.
The building
consists of several floors, and upon accessing it, after a long
staircase, there is an atrium with a portico on all four sides, on which
rests a loggia with large pointed arches. The Civic Museum is located on
the first floor, in which numerous finds from the Roman period are
collected, including several precious mosaics from the imperial age. In
one of the innumerable rooms that make up the building there is a fresco
from the beginning of the century, depicting the wing on a blue field,
symbol of the city with medallions on the four sides with effigies of
characters from the Risorgimento period. The room is finished with
liberty motifs. The corridor of the internal courtyard contains a series
of inscriptions and ancient finds.
Villa Zappone
It is located
next to the Roman amphitheater of Larinum; it is a 19th-20th century Art
Nouveau villa, built by the lawyer Filomeno Zappone. In 1994 the villa
was listed and the Superintendency of Archaeological Heritage
established the archaeological park of the city of Larinum there, to
house a small museum with the most valuable sculptural finds. The villa
also retains the stables, in the basement of which there is an ancient
Roman sewer. After the inauguration of the new headquarters of the
archaeological museum, the villa was closed due to bureaucratic
problems, in 2010 there were new agreements between the Municipality and
the regional directorate of cultural heritage, and it is once again
usable.
Episcopal Palace
The building is located next to the
Cathedral, and is the seat of the Diocesan Museum "Mons. Andrea Tria".
The museum displays works of sacred art from the churches of Larino, not
only seventeenth-eighteenth century canvases, but also medieval
frescoes, sculptures such as bas-reliefs or columns from the Cathedral,
of extreme importance for better protection. Among the canvases are
those of Francesco Solimena (the Archangel Michael chasing away Lucifer)
and Paolo Gamba, his pupil, from Ripabottoni.
Risorgimento
Theater
In the city there is the Teatro Risorgimento.
Feast of San Pardo (Carrese di San Pardo). May 25-26-27. The origins
of this festival (considered one of the most beautiful celebrated in
Italy) date back to the year 842, when some inhabitants who survived the
Saracen invasion found the sepulcher which enclosed the body of the
saint. Considering it a miraculous find, the Larinesi elected the Saint
as their protector, loaded his remains onto a cart covered with flowers
and took him to the city, followed by a triumphant procession.
The
preparation of the wagons (today there are about 130) is an operation
that requires time and effort. The carts are pulled by sheep, calves,
cows and oxen, artistically decorated and covered with handmade crepe
paper flowers by the villagers.
The Cart represents the symbol of the
family handed down from generation to generation, as a sign of
continuity and tradition. Each wagon is distinguished by a progressive
number, attributed to it according to the date of foundation; the lowest
numbers correspond to the oldest ones, the highest ones are of recent
origin.
October Fair. Second week of October. A sample fair of
peasant origins which in past centuries was a crossing point for all
those who, through the sheep tracks, carried out the transhumance
towards nearby Puglia. Mostly farm animals, cured meats and cheeses were
sold. The first edition dates from the eighteenth century. Even today it
sees hundreds of merchants from all over central Italy gather; at the
fair there are leather products, clothing, but also cured meats, cheeses
and household appliances.
The October fair is made up of an external
and an internal part, in the external one there are small medium and
large tractors or tools for the countryside inside precisely cold cuts,
cheeses, cosmetics for the skin, mattresses, etc.
Larinese Carnival.
Every year, usually during the weekend before Shrove Tuesday, the parade
of the "papier-mâché giants" takes place, allegorical floats built by
groups of local young people that reach 6 meters in height. The event,
one of the most important in Molise, has been held since 1976 and in
recent years has seen a remarkable development of the technique used by
papier-mâché masters, so much so that the artifacts are compared to
those of the nearby Carnival of Putignano.
Magic of lights. During
the Christmas period, Larino lights up thanks to Magia di Luci. The
event, which winds through the streets of the town, allows you to
experience a magical moment full of wonder and amazement with the lights
that adorn buildings and streets in perfect Christmas spirit.
By plane
Pescara Airport (Abruzzo International Airport), Via
Tiburtina Km 229.100 (about 117 km), ☏ +39 085 4324201.
Naples
Capodichino Airport (NAP), Viale F. Ruffo di Calabria, 80144 Naples NA
(about 167 km), ☎ +39 081 7896111.
Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), Via
dell' Aeroporto di Fiumicino, 320, ☏ +39 06 65951.
By car
Adriatica A14 motorway, exit at Termoli, follow the Campobasso / Larino
direction, take the SS 87 (Bifernina state road) following signs for
Larino.
A1 motorway: exit at Caianello, turn towards Benevento,
follow signs for Campobasso, continue on the SS 647 and then turn
towards Diga del Liscione, continue following signs for Larino (SP 80).
From Termoli take the SS 87 (Bifernina state road) in the direction of
Larino.
From Campobasso take State Road 87, continue on the SS 647,
turn towards Diga del Liscione, continue following signs for Larino (SP
80).
On boat
Port of Termoli, Harbor office - Via Calata del
Porto (about 8.5 km), ☎ +39 0875 706484, fax: +39 0875 707336.
Connections with the Tremiti Islands and Croatia.
Tourist port of
Pescara (about 100 km).
Port of Naples (about 192 km).
On the
train
It has its own railway station on the Campobasso-Termoli line
By bus
The main public transport companies operating in the
Molise area are the following:
C.L.P. bus lines S.p.A., ☎ +39 081
5311707, +39 081 5312424, info@clpbus.it. Direct connection from Naples
to Campomarino and Termoli
Lariviera bus lines.
SATI bus lines.
Molise Transport bus lines.
Average prices
Ladinod - restaurant pizzeria bar ice cream shop,
Via Iovine Francesco, 7, ☎ +39 0874 824612.
Restaurant Pizzeria
Forum, Via Antonio Gramsci, 42, ☎ +39 0874 823661.
Osteria del Borgo,
Via Cluenzio, 44, ☎ +39 349 3928013.
Average prices
1 B&B Il Torrione, Via Leone, 71, ☎ +39 338 918
0348.
Pharmacies
1 Caradonio, Piazza dei Frentani, 17. +39 0874 822263.
2 Del Gennaro, Piazza del Popolo, 1-4.
3 Ricci, Piazza Duomo, ☎ +39
0874 822224
Post
Poste Italiane, via Opllaco 10, ☎ +39 0874 829549.
Poste
Italiane Larino 1, via Cluenzio 76, ☎ +39 0874 822264.
Termoli - It is the main center of the Molise coast and the second
largest city in the region by number of inhabitants. Its ancient
nucleus, with the cathedral and fortifications, stands on a promontory
overlooking the sea.
Campomarino — The seaside settlements on the
coast form a conurbation with Termoli; the ancient center is further
away towards the hills. It is one of the four municipalities in Molise
whose population descends from Albanians fleeing Ottoman rule and
preserves traditions, customs and language of origin, the arbëreshë,
i.e. the Molise Albanian.
Guardialfiera — It rises a short distance
from the lake of the same name, born following the creation of a dam
which thus produced the largest body of water in the region, completely
in the Molise area.
Located in the hills of Lower Molise, at an altitude
of about 400 m s.l.m. which is located about 52 kilometers
north-east from Campobasso, 90 km from Isernia and 26 km from
Termoli and the Adriatic coast. The territory is mainly hilly with a
large flat area (Piane di Larino) which extends towards the Adriatic
coast. It borders the municipalities of Casacalenda, Guglionesi,
Montorio nei Frentani, Palata, San Martino in Pensilis and Ururi.
The main hydrographic basins are the Biferno river, the Cigno
stream and the artificial reservoir of the Liscione.
Near
Larino there are numerous fields of olive trees, which constitute
the main crop of the territory and from which an excellent quality
oil is obtained (from the native Gentile di Larino olive). Other
typical crops are vines, cereals and vegetables.
In Larino, the climate is mild Mediterranean due to its hillside position and proximity to the coast. In winter it tends to be cold with sporadic snowfalls, while in summer temperatures often exceed 30 degrees.
Urbs princeps frentanorum the ancients
called it to underline the importance this important city in the lower
Molise had in the past, which was one of the main centers of the
Frentani territory.
Its foundation can most probably be dated
around the 12th century BC. by the hand of the Italic Osci people, who
gave it the name of Frenter. Subsequently the city was destroyed and
rebuilt with the name of Ladinod, as transcribed on numerous ancient
coins found in the Larinate area. Over the centuries this term underwent
changes, turning into the Latin name Larinum, subsequently deforming
itself into Larina, then into Alarino, to reach its current form of
Larino in the 19th century.
Following the Samnite wars, the city was conquered by the Roman Republic (319 BC) and became a res publica, maintaining its own autonomy with respect to the other Frentane cities. The name was changed to the Latin Larinum, meaning the place where the Frentani had the Lari. During the Second Punic War (218-202 BC) it was the scene of battles between Hannibal's army, encamped in nearby Gerione, and Fabio Massimo, dictator at Larinum.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the
domination of southern Italy by the Longobards (VI-X century AD)
influenced the life of Larino, which became an integral part of the
Duchy of Benevento, retaining a certain legal autonomy guaranteed by the
presence of a With you. In fact it was at the head of one of the 34
counties into which the Duchy of Benevento was divided.
The
traditional date of 842, associated with the memory of the transfer of
the relics of the patron Saint Pardo from the city of Lucera to Larino,
sanctions the definitive exodus from the ancient Roman city, located on
the hill and easily accessible by Saracen and Hungarian raids from the
coast , towards the more hidden valley below and placed on a naturally
defended rocky outcrop.
In the new nucleus, under the subsequent
influence of the Kingdom of Naples, starting from the thirteenth
century. A.D., the city recovered all its importance and the presence of
an important fortress, later used as a residence of the rulers of the
time (Palazzo Ducale), is proof of this together with the construction
of the new cathedral in honor of the patron Saint Pardo (consecrated on
31 July 1319). On 26 January 1564, Bishop Belisario Balduino, a veteran
of the Council of Trent, opened the first diocesan seminary in the
Catholic world in Larino.
With the administrative reorganization in the kingdom of Naples (1806), Larino passed from the Capitanata to the new province of Molise and became the district capital.
Larino, in the Molise earthquake that occurred between 31 October and 2 November 2002, was one of the most affected centres. Some of the most important monuments have been damaged causing inconvenience to the local population. These include the ducal palace, which returned to the seat of the municipality of Larino in January 2009 after partial restoration work, the churches of San Francesco, Santo Stefano and Santa Maria, which are still under reconstruction, the high school "F. D'Ovidio" and the "Novelli" elementary school, for which demolition works are planned and which are temporarily housed respectively in the old headquarters of the Vietri civil hospital and in prefabricated sites near the other institute "E. Rosano". Most of the houses in the historic center are still being rebuilt, while many buildings are still shored up and awaiting restoration.
The municipal coat of arms depicts a silver wing on a blue field. The
gonfalon consists of a blue cloth.
Honours
With a decree dated
1 January 2000, the President of the Republic Carlo Azeglio Ciampi
conferred the title of city on the municipality.
Cinema
2013 - The sun of the villains, a film by Paolo Consorti on
the passion of Christ.
The carrese of San Pardo
At the beginning of March, the
beautiful sunny days make one think of the most important festival of
the year: the carrese di San Pardo. Just with the entrance of spring the
preparations begin.
The characteristic feast of the patron San
Pardo takes place on 25, 26 and 27 May, and is considered by well-known
experts to be one of the most beautiful celebrated in Italy.
The
origins of this festival date back to the year 842 when some inhabitants
who survived the invasion of the Saracens, found the sepulcher that
enclosed the body of the Saint, considering it as a divine discovery,
the Larinesi elected the Saint as their protector, loaded his remains in
a chariot covered with flowers and carried it into the city, followed by
a triumphant procession.
The preparation of the wagons (today
there are about 130) is an operation that requires time and effort. The
carts are pulled by sheep, calves, cows and oxen, artistically decorated
and covered with handmade crepe paper flowers by the villagers.
The Cart represents the symbol of the family handed down from generation
to generation, as a sign of continuity and tradition. Each wagon is
distinguished by a progressive number, attributed to it according to the
date of foundation; the lowest numbers correspond to the oldest ones,
the highest ones are of recent origin.
October fair
The
October fair is a sample fair of peasant origins which in past centuries
was a crossing point for all those who, through the sheep tracks,
carried out the transhumance towards nearby Puglia, mainly farm animals,
cold cuts and cheeses were sold. The first edition dates from the
eighteenth century. Even today it usually takes place during the second
week of October and brings together hundreds of traders from all over
central Italy. Nowadays at the fair there are leather products,
clothing, but also cured meats, cheeses and household appliances. The
October fair is made up of an external and an internal part, in the
external one there are small medium and large tractors or tools for the
countryside inside precisely cold cuts, cheeses, cosmetics for the skin,
mattresses, etc.
Larinese Carnival
Every year, usually during
the weekend before Shrove Tuesday, the parade of the "papier-mâché
giants" takes place, allegorical floats built by groups of local young
people that reach 6 meters in height. The event, one of the most
important in Molise, has been held since 1976 and in recent years has
seen a remarkable development of the technique used by papier-mâché
masters, comparing the artifacts to those of the nearby Carnival of
Putignano.