The Taverna del Cortile is one of the most significant sites in the Molise sheep-track network. Located in the countryside north of Campobasso, it has been a key stop for transhumance for centuries, offering shelter and refreshment to shepherds and their flocks traveling between the Abruzzo highlands and the pastures of Puglia.
Built in the 17th century, the tavern was a strategic stopping point, a crossroads between the rural and urban worlds. Here, people ate, prayed, exchanged news, and found solace. Its location at the gates of the city made it a place of transition between pastoral and urban culture.
Its importance is linked to the convergence of two sheep tracks:
- the Cortile–Centocelle track, which connected the Celano–Foggia sheep track
- the Cortile–Matese track, which connected the Castel di Sangro–Lucera sheep track with the Pescasseroli–Candela, passing through Bojano and Sepino
This double connection made the Taverna del Cortile a vital hub for transhumance, where flocks, merchants, pilgrims, and travelers met. It was a hub between the major grassy arteries that crisscrossed Molise, and contributed to the economic and cultural development of the area.
Today, although no longer active, the tavern retains a strong identity. It is mentioned in cultural walks, hikes, and gravel rides that celebrate the memory of transhumance. Its charm endures in the landscape, in the stories, and in its symbolic function as the gateway to the Molise sheep tracks. by Molise Trail
Translated by Google •
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