Termoli
Away from mass tourism, the Molise coastline stretches for 35 km, from the mouth of the Trigno River to that of the Puglian stream Saccione. The clear sea, splendid vegetation, and rich artistic and cultural heritage make this area a perfect destination for a summer vacation but also an excellent starting point for exploring the Molise hinterland.
What to See
The first stop of a vacation in Termoli is the Old Town. The ancient nucleus of the city of Termoli rises on top of a promontory that extends almost steeply over the Adriatic Sea. The old town appears as a suggestive fortified citadel, characterized by very characteristic squares and alleys; among these, Vico Il Castello stands out, one of the narrowest in Europe. Surrounded by high fortified walls and not far from the rest of the town, it is a place from which to discover the true face of the maritime city. Magnificent is the tower that watches over the entrance to the village, the only survivor of the ancient Swabian Castle and today a symbol of the city. It represents the most representative defensive building of the entire Molise coast, built around the 13th century to ensure the village a safe defense both from the sea and from the mainland. During the Lombard domination, the inhabitants of the small fiefs existing in the territory, since the aggressions coming from the sea became more and more numerous, took refuge on the small promontory and built a fortified enclosure.
On the large Duomo square stands the magnificent Romanesque façade of the Cathedral of Santa Maria della Purificazione, built on the highest point of the Old Town, in the place of the oldest urban settlement, as evidenced by some archaeological finds dating back to the Bronze Age. The Cathedral is divided into three aisles by cross-shaped pillars and has a truss roof in the central nave and cross vaults in the lateral ones. On December 31, 1761, in the crypt of the Cathedral, the bones of S. Basso, patron saint of Termoli, were found; while, in May 1945, those of S. Timoteo, disciple of S. Paolo, were found.
From the foot of the castle starts the unmissable walk of the "trabucchi," constructions on the sea that in ancient times allowed fishermen to fish even when the sea was rough, preventing boats from reaching the open sea, a path that runs along the entire city wall up to the harbor. It is also worth visiting the city center, between Corso Nazionale, an ancient connection between the old city, enclosed by walls, and the newer area, Piazza Sant'Antonio, an extraordinary balcony overlooking old Termoli, located at the end of Corso Nazionale and characterized by the fountain dedicated to Sant'Antonio; Piazza Vittorio Veneto, considered the living room of the city, and Piazza Mercato, where the market was once held outside the walls of the village.
What to Do
As a seaside town, Termoli is awarded year after year with the Blue Flag of Europe for the cleanliness of its sea, equipped beaches, and the many sports facilities it offers to tourists. Moreover, it is the ideal place for sailing and water sports enthusiasts thanks to the Rio Vivo beach, located south of the city, always exposed to favorable winds for these types of sports.
Finally, but not least, the port of Termoli offers numerous solutions to reach the wonderful Tremiti Islands, which for their beauty are called "the Pearls of the Adriatic." The pearls of this magnificent archipelago are San Nicola, San Domino, Cretaccio, Caprara, and Pianosa. In this small corner of paradise, millennia of history are enclosed, so much so that the Tremiti Islands appear as a large open-air museum: the sea, the places, and the events of the five islands attract thousands of tourists every year.
