Civitacamporano is a hilltop village in the Molise region of Italy where the streets are not paved with gold but instead decorated by a whole range of beautiful and fascinating murals by an American Artist called Alice Pasquini whose grandparents originally came from the village.
This village is exceptionally beautiful and combined with a trip to visit other places in the area you will not be disappointed if you come to visit... I guarantee it ....
Like many of the hilltop villages in this region, Civitacamporano has fallen into disrepair due to lack of work for local people who are being forced to move away to seek work elsewhere. This is nothing new of course as the first immigrants began to leave the rural parts of Souther Italy after the WWII to find work in Canada and the US.
Many of these people now are tracing their ancestors back to Italy and in some areas buying property which will help arrest it's decline.
The town although still in decline with the numbers of inhabitants falling is well worth going to see, especially if you are an ART LOVER.
However some years ago when Alice Pasquini http://www.alicepasquini.com/ first painted the murals here it brought new life to the village.
When I visited the village for the first time a group of local boys showed me round.
They led my friend Emanuele, a local artist and myself round to see every mural. Some are tucked away in doorways and others cover whole walls.
My favourite is a series of tree people who are cutting themselves free to clamber or drift away from their roots. Painted merely in black they are exceptional and draw one into wanting to understand the purpose of their mass exodus.
Sadly villages like this are unique, their fortified walls have seen men fall in battle and they have resounded with the song of victory when their own troops rallied forth. Now due to lack of resources at a local level, they are suffering to keep the villages ticking over.
But don't let this put you off as a tourist. In every town and village in Molise people will welcome you will welcome you with open arms.
They are friendly, hospitable and try to be helpful.
There is some English spoken although now many will admit to it, so try your Italian out if you have any as it will be appreciated.
Tourism is their best hope to survive so read my blogs about the area. If you want to come and visit the area get in contact with me and I will find you the best places to eat and stay
There are so many places to visit and so much good food. All the produce eaten in local restuarants is produced locally and all of exceptional quality.
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