About us
History of the Garden
The history of the Garden is long and complex, marked by ambitious plans as well as periods of difficulty. The first official document, discovered in the municipal archives, dates back to 1957 and records the minutes of a meeting dedicated to the creation of an “Apennine garden and a medicinal plant garden” covering an area of as much as 70 hectares. The initiative was promoted by the Provincial Tourism Board of Campobasso (at the time, the Province of Isernia had not yet been established), together with the Municipality of Capracotta, with technical support from the Departmental Forestry Inspectorate of Campobasso.
In 1963, the foundation stone was laid. The objectives were ambitious: to enhance the tourist appeal of an area of remarkable beauty while at the same time promoting the cultivation and economic use of medicinal plants. In 1965, the Ministry of Tourism allocated 800,000 lire for the operation of the Garden.
The management was entrusted to the Institute of Botany of the University of Naples, represented by Aldo Merola of the Experimental Station for Medicinal Plants, and Paolo Pizzolongo, director of the Botanical Garden of Naples and originally from Larino (CB). Under their supervision, experimental cultivations were established on specially designed terraces, yielding excellent results.
In 1970, Etaliano Bontempo documented the presence of numerous medicinal plant species cultivated in the Garden, including Angelica archangelica L., Artemisia absinthium L., Anthemis nobilis L., Gentiana spp., Hyssopus officinalis L., Lavandula officinalis Chaix, Mentha spp., Salvia spp., Thymus vulgaris L., Valeriana officinalis L., and many others (Apennine flora and medicinal plants in the Garden of Capracotta in Alto Molise, in «L’Italia Agricola», 1972). However, in that same year, a telegram preserved in the municipal archives, sent by the gardener Antonio Caiazzo, a collaborator of Merola, reported the growing state of neglect of the Garden, which thus entered a long period of inactivity.
The revival came in 1997, when activities related to the design of pathways, cultivation, conservation and research resumed. During this phase, alongside the Municipality of Capracotta, the University of Molise consistently took part, initially with a scientific advisory role and later as a partner in direct management, through the role of Director and Scientific Coordinator.
In 2003, the Municipality of Capracotta and the University of Molise established the Consortium of the Garden of Apennine Flora, adopting its first statute. Subsequently, the Molise Region, the Province of Isernia and the “Alto Molise” Mountain Community of Agnone joined the Consortium (in 2015, the Province of Isernia and the Mountain Community of Agnone withdrew as a result of Law No. 190/2014).
Today, the Garden is a recognized, valued and vibrant place once again: above all, it is a project in constant evolution. Its history shows that the strongest roots withstand the test of time and, like mountain plants, are able to bloom again even after the harshest seasons.
Mission and Objectives
Conserving Apennine biodiversity: protecting rare, endemic and threatened species by providing them with a safe and suitable environment.
Protection of local plant resources: safeguarding traditional crop varieties and medicinal plants, preserving the natural and agricultural heritage of the territory.
Scientific research and study of mountain ecosystems: promoting observation, experimentation and in-depth study of Apennine flora.
Environmental education and outreach: bringing adults and children closer to the knowledge of plants through guided tours, workshops and educational activities.
Inclusion and accessibility: ensuring educational experiences open to all, with pathways designed also for visually impaired visitors and people with reduced mobility.
Enhancement of mountain culture: keeping alive the memory of traditional uses of herbs and local crafts connected to the territory.
Promotion of respect for nature: raising visitors’ awareness of the importance of environmental protection and sustainability.
Sustainable management: improving energy efficiency, water resource management and reducing plastic pollution in ecosystems.
A meeting point between science, landscape and community: creating a shared space where conservation, beauty and knowledge come together.
Team
Cosimo Carfagna
President
Paola Fortini
Director
Gabriella Stefania Scippa
Scientific Director
Iole Sabelli
Curator
Vincenzo Carnevale
Secretary
Luca Quaranta
Technical Specialist
Flavio Colecchia
Guide
Dario Ciaramella
Guide
Gardener
Gardener
Alfredo Di Tella
Gardener
Dario Palladino
Universal Civil Service Volunteer
Managing Authority / Partner University
Establishment of the Consortium of the Garden of Apennine Flora: 2003
Founding members: Municipality of Capracotta and the University of Molise
Other members: Molise Region
Province of Isernia and the “Alto Molise” Mountain Community of Agnone (withdrawn in 2015 pursuant to Law No. 190/2014)
Reference University
University of Molise, Department of Biosciences and Territory, University Museum System
