Castles of Abruzzo
Sunset on Rocca Calascio. Photo by: Gianluca Cretone
Castles of Abruzzo
Japanese version
Abruzzo アブルッツォ州の城 日本語PDFダウンロードはこちらから
The Abruzzo landscape is marked by the presence of castles and fortified structures. It can be said that there is no village, dominant summit, pass or promontory that does not have its tower, its fortified enclosure. Among the most beautiful and best preserved are:
The Castle of Pacentro, at an altitude of 718 meters on Mount Morrone, is one of the best preserved fortified structures in Abruzzo. There are several coats of arms placed on the fortress complex, almost all of which are difficult to read. The best preserved one is a shield attributed to the Orsini family, placed on the cylindrical tower at the south-west corner.
The 15th-century Aragonese Castle in Ortona (Ch) stands in a spectacular position overlooking the sea. From the east tower it is possible to enjoy an extraordinary panorama of the sea that embraces a long stretch of the 'Costa dei Trabocchi'.
Perched on a rocky spur, the Castle of Roccascalegna (Ch), between heaven and earth, dominates the medieval village and the Sangro Valley. Magnificent, majestic and so scenic that it was chosen by director Matteo Garrone as the location for the film "Il racconto dei racconti" (“Tale of Tales”). The Castle has ancient origins and underwent numerous additions between the 16th and 17th centuries, maintaining its evocative charm intact.
The Ducal De Riseis Castle in Crecchio stands on the southern edge of the ancient urban settlement, in a very favourable location from a strategic point of view, and houses the Museum of Byzantine and Early Medieval Abruzzo .
The Castle of Salle, made of Maiella stone, is nestled in the enchanting “Valle dell'Orta” Nature Reserve and houses the Bourbon Medieval Museum. Inside the castle, you can visit an Empire-style room where Napoleon Bonaparte is said to have slept.
The Piccolomini Castle in Balsorano, a national monument, is surrounded by a lush park. Due to its beauty, it has often been used as a location for Italian films. More than 30 films have been made there. The hall of arms and the central hall, rich in 16th century tapestries and frescoes, are worth a visit.
The Piccolomini Castle in Celano is one of the most prestigious examples of residencial castels on the Italian peninsula and houses the Torlonia Collection and Marsica Museum of Sacred Art.
The Piccolomini Castle in Ortucchio was originally a very rare example of medieval fortification, as it was surrounded by the waters of a lake. Its construction dates back to 1488. Legend has it that the ghost of the 'Pale Virgin' appears at night on the Castle tower, with her a bird singing a sad melody.
The 16th-century fort in L'Aquila is surrounded by a large wooded park. On display in the East Bastion is the skeleton of Mammuthus Meridionalis, dating back to around 1 million and 300 thousand years ago, discovered in 1954 in Scoppito, in the province of L'Aquila.
The Fortress of Civitella del Tronto, 600 metres a.s.l., is one of the largest and most important military engineering works in Europe. Educational activities for teenagers and children, theme days on the life of the castle's ancient inhabitants and falconry workshops are frequently organised in the castle.
At an altitude of almost 1,500 metres, the extraordinary 13th-century castle of Rocca Calascio is one of the most beautiful fortresses in the world according to the prestigious international magazine National Geographic, famous for having hosted major film sets, including the films 'Lady Hawke' and 'The Name of the Rose’.
Top experiences
- The Aragonese Castle in Ortona
For all lovers of good wine, August is the time for “Calici di Stelle” (“Goblets of Stars”), one of the most important summer events on the international wine tourism scene on one of the most beautiful 'terraces' on the Adriatic Sea.
- The Fortress of Civitella del Tronto
Visite Wild nello splendido scenario della Fortezza di Civitella del Tronto con la possibilità di vivere un emozionante sogno, scortati da lupi e rapaci liberi. Un'esperienza unica per conoscere dal vivo falchi, poiane e aquile, che seguiranno i visitatori in totale libertà.
- The Piccolomini Castle of Celano and the Marsica Museum of Sacred Art
The museum itinerary unfolds on a single floor through eight exhibition rooms, divided into several thematic sections: sculpture painting and jewellery. The splendid works come from all over the Marsican territory and can be dated between the 6th and 18th centuries.
- The Spanish fort of L'Aquila
Make sure to visit the L'Aquila Mammoth hosted in the East Bastion of the Spanish Fort. The almost intact skeleton of an Elephas Meridionalis Nesti, known as the Mammoth, spread across the Italian peninsula at the beginning of the Quaternary period.
- Rocca Calascio
“Gran Sasso, Castelli e Tratturi” (Gran Sasso, castles and sheep tracks) is the first Abruzzo itinerary of the Slow Food Travel project, which proposes destinations in which to experience a new model of travel, a new model of so-called 'slow' tourism.