Our visit to Campobasso.

Saturday 25th of April
A little stressed, as for some of us it was the first time we had ever flown in an aeroplane, we boarded a plane at Okęcie airport. Due to sunny, ‘cloudless’ weather we could admire beautiful landscapes that we could see through the plane windows. After two-hour flight we landed at Fiumicino airport. At about 4 pm we were accommodated in our rooms and we could spend the rest of the day sightseeing. Just as we were entering Piazza di San Pietro we could feel the special atmosphere of this place. It was not crowded so that we could move easily and we were able to enter the Basilica di San Pietro without spending long hours in a queue. When you enter the basilica for the first time it strikes you how big it is. When we got used to the dim light inside we could admire the beauty of the interior and famous masterpieces of art.

Sunday 26th
We were to leave Rome at 14.20 so that after having checked out at about 9 o’clock we had 5 hours to spend. We hoped to see three of the most famous places: Collosseo, Piazza di Spagna, and Fontana di Trevi. We were able to visit all those places owing to Rome metro which consists of two lines only, but it goes through or close to all the places of interest. 14:20 we start out train journey to Campobasso. As we travelled at daytime we could admire the landscapes. Watching the hills, which cover the area south of Rome, followed by mountains, the highest of which were covered with snow, makes you realise how diversified landscape is in Italy. About 5 pm we arrive at Campobasso railway station, where we are met by our hosts and then we are taken to our host families.

Monday 27th
In the morning all the participants of our project meet at school. We have opportunity to meet our colleagues from Mikulov who arrived on Sunday but 2 hours later than our group. Then we set off for Termini, which is not very far from Campobasso, but is totally different place. While Campobasso is situated in a mountainous valley at about 700 meters above the sea level Termoli is a port and a sea resort at the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Apart from its beautiful location there is an old town, which oldest buildings date back to 11th century.

Wednesday 28th
Campobasso – work on the project. We worked hard as we had to complete our products: the game and the website. As we managed to duly complete our tasks we can spend the afternoon sightseeing Campobasso. The most surprising place was the Museo dei Misteri. I’m afraid that nobody has ever heard of this Misteri parade. In most Italian and Spanish towns and cities, during Corpus Domini processions statues and sculptures depicting saints are carried on platforms, but in Campobasso people (mainly children) dressed in costumes are carried on special platforms.

Thursday 29th
We visit two places: Pietrabbondante and Agnone. Pietrabbondante is famous for the remains of the Samniti civilisation. This civilisation is dated back to pre-Roman period. The Romans conquered Samniti state thus ending this ancient civilisation. In Pietrabbondante archaeologists discovered remains of many buildings which proves that this place was very important for that civilisation. Agnone is full of historical monuments but it was Marinelli foundry that made Agnone famous. Why this foundry is so famous? Firstly, this foundry is the oldest manufactory where church bells have been produced. Secondly, this foundry was given permission by Pope John Paul II to use the name Pontifica though actually it does not belong to Vatican. At 5 pm we took the last train to Rome, thus missing the farewell meeting at school, because he had to be at 8 o’clock the next day at Fiumicino airport.