Santuario di Ercole, Molise Travel Guide

Located in the Civitella area of Campochiaro, the Santuario di Ercole was a significant cult center dedicated to Hercules within the Pentri Samnium region. Situated on the slopes of the Matese mountains, its location held topographic importance due to its proximity to the Boiano plain's road network. This network included the Pescasseroli-Candela sheep track, a smaller path leading to Larino on the Adriatic coast, and another crossing the Matese to reach Campania and Monte Cila. This strategic position made the sanctuary a hub for trade and exchange, with evidence of activity dating back to the 7th-6th centuries BC.In the 4th century BC, the site was organized into two terraces, bordered by polygonal walls, with buildings constructed on them and accessed through eastern and western entrances. The lower terrace featured a long porticoed building with a scenic prospect overlooking the plain. A violent earthquake destroyed the complex in the early 3rd century BC, leading to the construction of wooden porticos and structural improvements. In the second half of the 2nd century BC, a temple with Ionic columns was built in the center of the upper terrace. The sanctuary remained in use until the early centuries of the Roman Empire before its eventual abandonment. Today, the visible remains offer a fascinating insight into the religious and cultural landscape of ancient Samnium.