TERMOLI
Termoli is a seaside town on Italy's Adriatic coast. It is situated in the relatively unknown region of Molise and has a population of around 32,000. Termoli is best known for fishing and the fort that completely contained the town until 1847 when the Bourbon King Ferdinand authorized building outside the city walls. The old town stands on a hill and juts out to sea like a massive pier, and this divides the harbour from the sandy beaches. The town is a popular seaside resort that mainly caters for Italian families with various restaurants and bars. While the town is a tourist hub for Italians, it still retains an authentic charm and is very picturesque. There are excellent Italian seafood restaurants available in Termoli as well as comfortable and well-equipped beaches.
A brief history of Termoli
There are some ancient necropolises around the area on which the modern town stands, providing proof of prehistoric habitation. However, the earliest records of the current city date back to the 10th century. Termoli used to be part of the Germanic Lombards, who recognized the strategic importance of the location and built a fort in 568 with eight turrets to protect the town. The Swabians expanded the castle and established a weekly market and the town flourished as an important trading hub. In 1770, the Kings of Naples permitted local nobles to build new networks out into the countryside and arrived in Termoli to develop the seaport. Jumping forward October of 1943, during World War II, Termoli was at the centre of one of the most significant tank battles of the Italian campaign. After this turbulent period, the region suffered depopulation, but today the town has become one of the most important hubs in Molise. Today the economy is mainly based on tourism, and people migrate to the coast, away from the inland areas, to work in the tourism industry.
Things to do in Termoli
Termoli's iconic 13th-century Castello Svevo guards the entrance to the old town, built by Frederick II of Swabiadates in the13th century, later it was used as a Bourbon prison but today it is a well-preserved monument. If you continue walking through the maze of narrow streets, pastel-coloured houses and souvenir shops, you will come to the gorgeous 12th-century cathedral, dedicated to the Purification of the Virgin Mary. The present Romanesque building was constructed in the 12th and 13th centuries on the site of its predecessors. If you travel south along the coast, there is also the church of Santa Maria a Mare which is worth a visit.
Beaches around Termoli
The main beach in termoli is Spiaggia di Sant'Antonio, which is within walking distance of the train station and has umbrellas and sunbeds. There are plenty of establishments in the vicinity providing refreshments. Another beach close to the centre is Lido Panfilo, and it has clean, shallow waters and plenty of services. For those with children, Lido Buena Vista Social Club is excellent; it has apparatus for the kids to play on as well as an excellent pizzeria, there is also a lifeguard present to keep your little ones safe on the beach.