Molise
Situated in south-eastern Italy, Molise is famous for one thing: it doesn’t exist. Well, technically, it does exist. As one of Italy’s 20 official regions, Molise has a status equal to Tuscany, Lombardy or Piedmont. It holds regional and national elections. It borders the regions of Abruzzo, Puglia, Lazio and Campania, all very real places. So why do Italians like to pretend that Molise doesn’t exist? The “Molise Conspiracy” has become something of a cultural phenomenon within Italy. The region went from obscurity to becoming Italy’s national joke. Once part of the Abruzzo e Molise region, Molise separated from Abruzzo in 1963 to become Italy’s youngest, and least known region. Perhaps the split was a mistake and they should reunite with Abruzzo.
But, unlike most other parts of Italy, in Molise you can still find life as it used to be, unchanged for centuries. Molise is a treasure trove of nature and culture. Italy’s last great unknown is where soft green hills give way to scattered villages and vast mountains. Molise is a blissful mix of uncrowded beaches, atmospheric villages and mountain towns. Molise will never be Tuscany, and that’s ok. Without any tourism to interrupt life, tradition reigns supreme. Molise is one of the last authentic places in Italy.









