Nestled in the heart of Italy, Abruzzo is a hidden treasure. It boasts stunning landscapes and a rich cultural heritage. Discover medieval hilltop towns and pristine national parks. Explore ancient ruins and savour traditional cuisine. Hike through rugged mountains and enjoy diverse wildlife. Abruzzo offers a genuine escape from the bustling crowds. It’s perfect for those seeking serenity and adventure.
Castello Piccolomini di Celano
Celano’s Castello Piccolomini started in 1392 and was enhanced in 1463. It’s a must-see spot in Abruzzo Italy. Its quadrangular towers are striking. Inside, the Marsica Museum overlooks a lovely courtyard. Initially, Celano overlooked Lago Fucino, Italy’s third-largest lake, until it was drained. Now, the castle sits on San Vittorino, with a unique landscape.
In 1915, an earthquake destroyed many medieval villages, leading to new buildings and fields around the castle. Though heavily restored, Castello Piccolomini lacks the charm of Rocca Calascio or Civitella del Tronto. View Edward Lear’s 1843 watercolour at New York’s online Morgan Library to glimpse its past beauty.
Santa Maria di Collemaggio
The return of the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio to L’Aquila in December 2017 was a significant milestone. It marked a key moment in the recovery process after the devastating earthquake on April 6, 2009. Since then, the Basilica has become a vital gathering place for the community. It serves as a site of remembrance and celebration.
The Basilica won the Grand Prix in the Conservation category this year. Europa Nostra’s Board praised the project for its high standards and innovation. They emphasised its symbolic value. Recovering the building represents the city’s rebirth and helps the community heal. The project highlights the importance of restoring endangered heritage sites.
Eremo di San Bartolomeo
Perched dramatically on a cliffside overlooking the Santo Spirito valley, the hermitage of San Bartolomeo in Legio is one of Majella’s most captivating rock hermitages. In the Middle Ages, devoted hermits carved an entrance and steps directly into the rock. These lead to a small chapel adorned with medieval frescoes of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. Behind the chapel, small rooms served as dormitories for the pious.
Peter of Morrone, who later became Pope Celestine V, resided here from 1274 to 1276. Known for his holiness, he eventually moved to the more remote San Giovanni all’Orfento to escape the growing crowds.
Inside the hermitage, a rustic wooden statue of Saint Bartholomew is preserved. It depicts him with a knife and his skin draped over his shoulder, symbolising his martyrdom. This makes him the patron saint of butchers and tanners.
Every year on August 25th, the people of Roccamorice, a small town in the Majella National Park, carry the statue back to their village. The holy water from the hermitage is believed to have healing powers. This tradition is rooted in the saint’s legendary abilities.
Follow the marked trail from the Macchie di Coco restaurant for 30 minutes to visit. There’s a steep stone staircase in the final section. Along the way, you’ll encounter a variety of beautiful Italian flowers, adding to the scenic charm.
Grotte di Stiffe
The Stiffe Caves, nestled within the Sirente-Velino Park, are a fascinating “resurgence.” They’re a natural cavity where an underground stream emerges. This stream accompanies visitors, creating stunning rapids and waterfalls within the cave.
Stepping inside from the summer heat, visitors journey through time. The cave, still in formation, unveils its ancient secrets. It showcases rock formations sculpted by water over millennia.
During winter, the underground river offers a mesmerising spectacle. Shielded from the harsh cold of Abruzzo and L’Aquila, the stream is tumultuous and reckless. It leaps over rocks, breaking the cave’s rarefied silence with its thunderous presence. This dynamic display highlights that the Stiffe Caves are a masterpiece of the stream’s relentless work. The grand waterfall hall leaves visitors in awe, providing a profound and unique experience.
In August 2007, the tourist route expanded to include a Second Waterfall. This waterfall is in a smaller, more intimate chamber with a dramatic 20-meter drop. The right wall’s tri-coloured casting enhances the scene, making the waterfall appear to transform into stone as both descend into the final pond. This addition offers an evocative and visually striking conclusion to the cave’s natural wonders.