Matese

Monti del Matese
Monte Miletto and La Gallinola from the Campanian side
Elevation	2,050 m (6,726 ft) (Monte Miletto)
Location
Location	Molise and Campania, Italy
Range	central-southern Apennines
Coordinates	41°40′N 14°40′E / 41.667°N 14.667°E / 41.667; 14.667

The Matese (Italian: Monti del Matese or Massiccio del Matese) is a chain of mountains in central Italy, central-southern Apennines.

Geography

The Matese mountains straddle two regions (Molise and Campania) and four provinces (Campobasso, Isernia, Benevento and Caserta). The highest peak, on the boundary between Molise and Campania, is the Monte Miletto, at 2,050 m, followed by the Gallinola (1,923 m a.s.l.), Monte Mutria (1,823 m a.s.l.), Monte Monaco di Gioia and Monte Maio.

Westwards, it faces the middle valley of the Volturno River towards the Monti Trebulani, while eastwards it faces the Molisan Pre-Apennines; northwards it is bounded by the Mainarde chain and, from the south, by the Camposauro and Taburno mountains. From north to south, the massif has an extension of some 60 km, while from east to west if measures some 25 km. They are included in the regional Park of the Matese, and include a lake of glacial origin (Lake Matese), two artificial lakes (lakes of Gallo Matese and Letino, formed by a dam on the Lete River), as well as the ski resorts of Bocca della Selva and Campitello Matese.

History

The area of the Matese was inhabited in historic times by the Samnites, who were conquered by the Romans in the 3rd-2nd centuries BC. Later it was a center of monasticism.

In the 7th century some villages in the area (Gallo Matese, Sepino, Boiano) were settled by a small Bulgar hord led by Alcek.

In the early 19th century it was a shelter for the anti-French partisans who were fighting against the French King of Naples, Joachim Murat. After the unification of Italy (1861), they became the base for anti-Piedmontese brigands, including both criminals and former Neapolitan soldiers organized in bands counting up to 600 men.

Flora and fauna

Flora include beech at middle altitudes and fir at higher ones, while on lower altitudes it includes birch, juniper, oak, chestnut and, more southwards, woods of holm oak.

Wildlife includes several examples of European wolf and eagle.

See also

Campitello Matese Castello del Matese Gallo Matese

Piedimonte Matese San Gregorio Matese San Polo Matese

External links

• Matese Regional Park (Italian) (English)
• Monti del Matese (Italian)