Capital of the province and the Molise Region, located in the Eastern slope of mounts of the Matese, between valleys of the rivers Bifenio and Fortore, to an altitude of between 700 and 800 meters, the city was developed during the time longobarda around a castle, that belonged first a the counts of Molise (centuries XI and XII), soon to the Monforte (centuries XIV and XV), becoming later feudo of the Gonzaga and, finally, in property of those Of Marinis and of the Carafa. In 1656 the city was devastated by a terrible plague. In 1728 fu incorporated to the Kingdom of Naples and shortly after their inhabitants a little erected the new city more down, towards the plain, calling it Campus bassus.
At the moment, the modern part of the city expands indeed towards the valley and emphasizes by its ample seats, straight streets and gardens. It is recommended to visit the churches of San Giorgio (century XII), San Bartolomeo (century XIV) and Sant' Antonio Abate (century XVI). They are interest monuments: the neoclassic cathedral, the Samnita Museum, the school “M. Pagan one” (1800), the monument to the patriotic molisano Gabriele Pepe (1779-1849), the Shrine of the Fallen ones. The date of foundation of the Church of “Santa Maria of Monte” is not known, although it thinks that it was constructed to bury to the members of the feudales families whose protection it enjoyed. The 25 of May of 1905, the sanctuary few monks were entrusted Padres Capuchinos, having had left the reduced order very, most of old they. Also the church, that remained kept by ermitaño, was entrusted to them so that outside properly used and responded to every better time to the cult and the spiritual necessities of the faithfuls, rendering paternal, constant, intelligent and effective attendance.