Termoli (Molisano:Térmëlë) is acomune (municipality) on the southAdriatic coast ofItaly, in theprovince of Campobasso, region ofMolise. It has a population of around 32,000, having expanded quickly afterWorld War II, and it is a local resort town known for its beaches and old fortifications. Once it was known only as a fishing port, but in the new millennium it is a favourite resort for Italian families. Termoli contains the only port of the Molise region. There is also a strong competition (especially in the world of sport) with the Campobasso province, in fact some of the "termolesi" (the name of the people that lives in Termoli) like to say that Termoli is province-less ("Termoli senza provincia").
Termoli is located in centre-south of Italy, on theAdriatic Coast ofMolise Region.The original settlement developed on the promontory where now there's the ancient village, featured by old white and colorful fisherman houses, narrow streets,Trabucchi on the sea, theRomanesqueCathedral (Duomo), Castello Svevo (Frederick's Castle of 1200) and high walls.
The centre of the city is developed on the nearby ancient village, here you can find many avenues and streets full of life, especially in summer. On the seafront there are several restaurants, hotels and beaches; out of suburbs there are countrysides cultivated with olive trees and wine.
Termoli has aMediterranean climate (CSa) tending tosemi-arid (BSk) according to Köppen climate classification because precipitation is about 350 mm annual with the autumn as wettest season and a minimum in summer (less 20 mm in July and August).
Winters are mild but the city may experience windy days because ofMaestrale (Mistral) which occasionally can bring snow, even if it is a rare phenomenon that occurs in the whole south Italy. Daily mean is about 10 °C (50 °F) with a maximum that can reach from 12 °C (54 °F) to 15 °C (59 °F), above all in days with winds from south and a minimum of 7 °C (46 °F).
Summers are long (they lasts 4 months) and quite hot but thanks to winds they are tolerable with an average high that can generally reach 29/30 °C (85/86 °F); in latest years, as a result ofAfrican anticyclone, temperatures were very high reaching 35/40 °C (95/104 °F) also due to southern hot winds fromAfrica.
In July and August nights are considered "tropicals" because the average low is about 24 °C. Rains are rare but sometimes there can be thunderstorms which doesn't contribute well to the dry situation of summer.
Human settlements existed in Termoli since pre-historical times, as showed by the presence of ancientnecropolis in contrada Porticone and Difesa Grande, as well as from reconnaissance attestations ofville owned byRomans patricians that had theirvilla near the Molisan coast.
The first documentation of today's city dates to the presence of the ancestor of the current cathedral, documented in the 10th century. Termoli was aLombard county until the arrival of theNormans, under which flourished and expanded. Later devastations meant a period of decay which lasted until around 1770, when the local nobles were permitted by theKings of Naples to build new edifices along the coast and in direction of the countryside.
DuringWorld War II Termoli became the centre of one of the largest tank battles of theItalian campaign over the period 2 to 6 October, 1943. On the night of 2/3 October, duringOperation Devon,British Commandos of the2nd Special Service Brigade, which comprisedNo. 3 (Army) Commando,40 (Royal Marine) Commando and theSpecial Raiding Squadron landed by sea then cleared the town of most of its German defenders. During the first day these forces set up road blocks around the town and were joined by British infantry advancing across the Biferno river to the south-east. They were unaware that the16th Panzer Division was on its way to create a new defensive line. On 4 October British reinforcements arrived by sea and land, but tanks were unable to cross the river untilengineers completed a bridge for heavy traffic. On 5 October the panzers attacked, pushing much of the British line back in disarray. At the end of the day they were only a short distance from the town. With the arrival of further reinforcements at the port, the engineers were able to complete the bridge allowing tanks to cross. On 6 October the Germans renewed their attack but it soon stalled and the British, with Canadian tanks from theThree Rivers Regiment (12e Régiment blindé du Canada) in support, counter-attacked. They were successful and by 7 October the Germans were pulling back to their next line of defence.
Termoli is rapidly becoming one of the most important centres in the Molise. The latter region suffered from depopulation in the years after World War II and there has been a migration from the internal hill towns to the coastal resort. Its status as the pre-eminent resort site is now being challenged byCampomarino, about five kilometres (3.1 mi) southward.
The old town has been well restored. It is a genuine walled community jutting out into the sea. Many of the houses have been re-built and painted in a range of pastel colours. In a central square there is thecathedral (12th-13th century), dedicated to St. Mary of the Purification: it is a noteworthy example of ApulianRomanesque architecture which houses the relics of the city's two patron saints,Bassus of Lucera (San Basso) andTimothy. The upper part of the façade was destroyed by anearthquake in 1456, and also suffered from the Turkish sack of the city in 1566. The Baroque additions were eliminated in the restoration of 1930–69, returning the edifice to its original appearance. Part of a pre-existing basilica, built in the 11th century (over the original, smaller cathedral calledEcclesia Sanctae Mater) but soon destroyed, has been found under the edifice.
The castle is the most pre-eminent structure in Termoli. Erected by countRobert I of Loritello during the Norman domination (11th century), it was largely renovated during the rule ofFrederick II (1240), after the damage created by an attack of theVenetian fleet. The castle was part of a wider fortification system, including a wall surrounding the entire city, of which only a tower can still be seen.
Termoli's resorts are renowned for the quality of their beaches and the relative purity of their waters.
Beach in Termoli
Very few non-Italians come to stay in this area. Increasingly, the tourists to Molise are from theNaples andApulia regions, to the south of Molise. Recently palm trees have been planted along the seaside promenade, and in the summer the many restaurants are crowded with visitors from surrounding communities.
Within a radius of about 25 kilometres (16 mi) from Termoli travellers can find the hilltowns ofLarino,Casacalenda,Montorio, andMontelongo, which preserve a rural way of life which is disappearing in other, more developed, parts of Italy.
Termoli continues to be a port and a fishing town. A distinguishing feature of the old town are thetrabucchi, wooden structures for fishing without the use of boats.
Ferries run from Termoli to theTremiti Islands archipelago in the Adriatic Sea.
TheKimera Film Festival was established in 2003. Starting from 2008, the public selection of the short movies is held in Termoli, from February to April of every year.
Termoli was also the location of the "Come Inside"[5] video by Jamaican dancehall artistSpice.
Just like the neighboring settlements, Termoli has aAbrëshe population.
