Abruzzo Sightseing
The history of Abruzzo has been a turbulent one. A fiercely independent people; a thorn in the side of the Romans; conquered – but never subdued.
A land of stunning landscapes. Modern towns and tiny ancient villages.
Abruzzo’s heritage is every bit as impressive as other, better-known parts of Italy, but less commercialised and more accessible.
Here, you’re not hemmed-in by the crowds of mass tourism, so you can wander around and see what you want to see at your own pace.
And there is so much to see.
We've suggested some of our personal favourites. You'll discover your own favourites too.
Our Abruzzo sighseeing days out left us excited, overwhelmed, moved, and astonished - and torn between wanting to go back and see everything again – and discovering even more treasures.
In no particular order, here are places we think you'll enjoy visiting…
Santa Maria di Collemaggio, L’Aquila
A 13th century jewel, set at the end of a long grassy swathe. Wonderful exterior, built in an intricate pattern of pink and white stone, echoed inside with chequered marble flooring, under a magnificent wood-beamed roof. Tantalising glimpses remain on the walls of medieval frescoes. Houses the tomb of Pope Celestine V who died in 1296.
Fontana delle 99 Cannelle, L’Aquila
The famous ‘Fountain of the 99 Spouts’. Completed in 1272 and ever since, the subject of myth and legend. Coded messages built into the stone; hidden bodies and the still-unknown source of the ice-cold water that pours from 99 subtly different spouts have inspired countless books snd theories - but the mysteries are as yet unsolved... Strongly linked to the Knights Templar – of ‘Da Vinci Code’ fame – as a distinctive Knights Templar cross can be seen etched into one of the fountain’s walls.
Santa Maria delle Grotte, Fossa
If you’re visiting L’Aquila, this astonishing 13th century church is nearby. Inside are some of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval frescoes in all Italy, depicting typical rural activities in the Abruzzo of the Middle Ages and stories from the Bible. If you only see one church on your Abruzzo holiday, make it this one.
The Capestrano Warrior, Chieti
Perhaps the most iconic image that symbolises Abruzzo. Housed in Chieti’s National Archeological Museum, this hugely imposing statue, standing some 7 feet tall, is thought to represent King Nevio and was carved in stone around 600BC to commemorate his death. It was rediscovered – in astonishingly good condition – by a farmer near the town of Capestrano in 1934.
Gessopalena
Few ruins in Abruzzo are as poignant as those of Gessopalena. Built on a rocky promontory with commanding views over the Majella, the still-visible foundations of the very earliest settlement here, hewn out of solid rock, date back over 2000 years. Prosperity and growth were cut short by an earthquake in 1933, before the village was utterly obliterated in the winter of 1943/4. A modern town has risen next to – but doesn't intrude on - the ruined village. In the oldest remains at the furthest point of the promontory stands a powerful and moving memorial to the victims of Nazi tyranny.
La Morgia
Just a short distance from Gessopalena is La Morgia – surely the most photographed rock in Abruzzo. Saved from destructive limestone quarrying in the early 1990s, the future of La Morgia was secured when Greek installation artist Costas Varotsos created a 66-foot green glass screen in a distinctive notch on the crest of the 426-foot high rock in 1998.
Roccascalegna Castle
There are many medieval castles in Abruzzo, but none can boast the setting of Roccascalegna Castle. Built in the 14th century, Roccascalegna boasts a satisfyingly lurid and bloody history, with stories of evil barons, murder, hauntings and buried treasure. The castle was abandoned in the early 1700s and remained uninhabited and decaying for nearly 300 years until its ownership was taken over in 1985 by the Comune of Roccascalegna. Their subsequent restoration programme was triumphantly completed in 1996.
San Giovanni in Venere, Fossacesia
This enormously imposing 11th century abbey is an unmissable local landmark, looming over the old Adriatic coast road just outside Fossacesia. The reference to Venere – Venus – imparts a much older history of religious significance to this site. Because of the connection with Venus, the abbey is now a hugely popular venue for weddings ! The fragments of medieval friezes outside the abbey's main door are well-worth the detour - and there's also a 1000-year old living olive tree !
The Miracle of the Eucharist, Lanciano
In 700AD, during a communion service in Lanciano, a monk questioned the belief that the wine and bread used in the service truly represented the ‘blood and body of Christ’. In what is now described as 'the first great miracle of the Catholic Church’, this wine and bread was transformed into real flesh and blood. In 1971, independent scientific tests confirmed the still perfectly-preserved flesh to be part of a human heart and the blood to be human blood, of type AB. This is the same blood-type that's been identified on the Turin Shroud. These significant relics are on open display in the Church of the Eucharistic Miracle in Lanciano.
Le Grotte del Cavallone, Lama dei Peligni
Easy to find. You'll drive right past the big entrance on the road that takes you down to Pescocostanzo and Roccaraso. Big complex of interlinked underground caves high in the Majella not fully discovered and explored until the early 18th century. The caves, which are well lit, are accessible by cable car and feature formations of stalactites, stalagmites and rock crystal. Weather conditions in the Majella dictate that the Grotte del Cavallone are only open in summer.
Please note: It's our understanding that the sights we've recommended in and around L'Aquila were unaffected by the 2009 earthquake. However we've been unable to verify this personally and some may have sustained unreported slight or superficial damage which has nevertheless resulted in their temporary closure.
See more of our Abruzzo holiday villas No. 426765 on Holiday-Rentals
The history of Abruzzo has been a turbulent one. A fiercely independent people; a thorn in the side of the Romans; conquered – but never subdued.
A land of stunning landscapes. Modern towns and tiny ancient villages.
Abruzzo’s heritage is every bit as impressive as other, better-known parts of Italy, but less commercialised and more accessible.
Here, you’re not hemmed-in by the crowds of mass tourism, so you can wander around and see what you want to see at your own pace.
And there is so much to see.
We've suggested some of our personal favourites. You'll discover your own favourites too.
Our Abruzzo sighseeing days out left us excited, overwhelmed, moved, and astonished - and torn between wanting to go back and see everything again – and discovering even more treasures.
In no particular order, here are places we think you'll enjoy visiting…
Santa Maria di Collemaggio, L’Aquila
A 13th century jewel, set at the end of a long grassy swathe. Wonderful exterior, built in an intricate pattern of pink and white stone, echoed inside with chequered marble flooring, under a magnificent wood-beamed roof. Tantalising glimpses remain on the walls of medieval frescoes. Houses the tomb of Pope Celestine V who died in 1296.
Fontana delle 99 Cannelle, L’Aquila
The famous ‘Fountain of the 99 Spouts’. Completed in 1272 and ever since, the subject of myth and legend. Coded messages built into the stone; hidden bodies and the still-unknown source of the ice-cold water that pours from 99 subtly different spouts have inspired countless books snd theories - but the mysteries are as yet unsolved... Strongly linked to the Knights Templar – of ‘Da Vinci Code’ fame – as a distinctive Knights Templar cross can be seen etched into one of the fountain’s walls.
Santa Maria delle Grotte, Fossa
If you’re visiting L’Aquila, this astonishing 13th century church is nearby. Inside are some of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval frescoes in all Italy, depicting typical rural activities in the Abruzzo of the Middle Ages and stories from the Bible. If you only see one church on your Abruzzo holiday, make it this one.
The Capestrano Warrior, Chieti
Perhaps the most iconic image that symbolises Abruzzo. Housed in Chieti’s National Archeological Museum, this hugely imposing statue, standing some 7 feet tall, is thought to represent King Nevio and was carved in stone around 600BC to commemorate his death. It was rediscovered – in astonishingly good condition – by a farmer near the town of Capestrano in 1934.
Gessopalena
Few ruins in Abruzzo are as poignant as those of Gessopalena. Built on a rocky promontory with commanding views over the Majella, the still-visible foundations of the very earliest settlement here, hewn out of solid rock, date back over 2000 years. Prosperity and growth were cut short by an earthquake in 1933, before the village was utterly obliterated in the winter of 1943/4. A modern town has risen next to – but doesn't intrude on - the ruined village. In the oldest remains at the furthest point of the promontory stands a powerful and moving memorial to the victims of Nazi tyranny.
La Morgia
Just a short distance from Gessopalena is La Morgia – surely the most photographed rock in Abruzzo. Saved from destructive limestone quarrying in the early 1990s, the future of La Morgia was secured when Greek installation artist Costas Varotsos created a 66-foot green glass screen in a distinctive notch on the crest of the 426-foot high rock in 1998.
Roccascalegna Castle
There are many medieval castles in Abruzzo, but none can boast the setting of Roccascalegna Castle. Built in the 14th century, Roccascalegna boasts a satisfyingly lurid and bloody history, with stories of evil barons, murder, hauntings and buried treasure. The castle was abandoned in the early 1700s and remained uninhabited and decaying for nearly 300 years until its ownership was taken over in 1985 by the Comune of Roccascalegna. Their subsequent restoration programme was triumphantly completed in 1996.
San Giovanni in Venere, Fossacesia
This enormously imposing 11th century abbey is an unmissable local landmark, looming over the old Adriatic coast road just outside Fossacesia. The reference to Venere – Venus – imparts a much older history of religious significance to this site. Because of the connection with Venus, the abbey is now a hugely popular venue for weddings ! The fragments of medieval friezes outside the abbey's main door are well-worth the detour - and there's also a 1000-year old living olive tree !
The Miracle of the Eucharist, Lanciano
In 700AD, during a communion service in Lanciano, a monk questioned the belief that the wine and bread used in the service truly represented the ‘blood and body of Christ’. In what is now described as 'the first great miracle of the Catholic Church’, this wine and bread was transformed into real flesh and blood. In 1971, independent scientific tests confirmed the still perfectly-preserved flesh to be part of a human heart and the blood to be human blood, of type AB. This is the same blood-type that's been identified on the Turin Shroud. These significant relics are on open display in the Church of the Eucharistic Miracle in Lanciano.
Le Grotte del Cavallone, Lama dei Peligni
Easy to find. You'll drive right past the big entrance on the road that takes you down to Pescocostanzo and Roccaraso. Big complex of interlinked underground caves high in the Majella not fully discovered and explored until the early 18th century. The caves, which are well lit, are accessible by cable car and feature formations of stalactites, stalagmites and rock crystal. Weather conditions in the Majella dictate that the Grotte del Cavallone are only open in summer.
Please note: It's our understanding that the sights we've recommended in and around L'Aquila were unaffected by the 2009 earthquake. However we've been unable to verify this personally and some may have sustained unreported slight or superficial damage which has nevertheless resulted in their temporary closure.
See more of our Abruzzo holiday villas No. 426765 on Holiday-Rentals
The beautiful facade of the 13th century Santa Maria di Collemaggio in L'Aquila
Also in L'Aquila, the mysterious 'Fontana delle 99 Cannelle'. Can you decipher the codes and messages locked into the carvings ?
Dating from 600BC, the imposing Capestrano Warrior. Perfectly preserved and on show in the National Archeological Museum in Chieti
In the shadows of the Majella lie the haunting 2000-year old ruins of Gessopalena
The 14th century Roccascalegna Castle, restored after falling into ruin, crouches over the surrounding landscape
A medieval frieze outside the main door of the abbey of San Giovanni in Venere above Fossacesia Marina
The 'Miracle of the Eucharist' in Lanciano. Known as 'the first great miracle of the Catholic church'