Villages, legends and traditions of the Gran Sasso National Park

For lovers of nature, trekking, castles and good food, this is an itinerary not to be missed.

Starting from Controguerra, about an hour by car, we arrive at Isola del Gran Sasso, a village that extends along a valley set between the peaks of the Gran Sasso d'Abruzzo and immersed in the nature of the protected area of ​​the Gran Sasso National Park. Stone. A peaceful village rich in traditions, populated by many animal species such as wolves, chamois, deer, eagle owls, cute squirrels and the majestic golden eagle. In this mountain village there are two castles, the Castello dell'Insula integrated perfectly into the wild landscape and the Castello di Pagliare, of which, however, there are only a few remains left, from which you can see a small church called Santa Maria di Pagliare built around the One thousand hundred. In the center of this characteristic village, the majestic church of San Massimo stands out, set along one of the oldest streets of the village, which inside houses enchanting frescoes and valuable works.

Inside the Gran Sasso National Park and an hour from Isola del Gran Sasso, we find Castel del Monte, included in the circuit of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Those who visit this village will find themselves immersed in medieval architecture and atmospheres, and at the same time fascinated by the natural beauties that surround it and by the incredible panoramas. A peculiar feature of this village is its architectural structure where the houses were built as barracks, with a residential and defensive function. For those strolling through the streets of Castel del Monte, an attraction not to be missed are the sporti, characteristic underground tunnels that connect various parts of the town.

Art and history lovers will be fascinated by the churches in the village, many of which still retain their original structure, such as the Church of San Marco, whose tower has a prominent position in the city or the Church of San Donato , dedicated to the patron saint of the village.

A village immersed in a naturalistic context of unmissable beauty, a paradise for lovers of nature and outdoor activities. His landscaping success has also been immortalized in major film production sets.

Some people love events, some legends and some good food. In Castel del Monte you can find all of this every August 17th and 18th in the magical Night of the Witches, a religious re-enactment that dates back to an ancient popular belief on the existence of witches. On this mysterious night you can indulge yourself among stalls, concerts, theatrical performances and traditional gastronomic products, such as the canestrato di Castel Del Monte, a hard sheep's cheese, arrosticini, pecorino, and chicocce and potatoes. A small but explosive village rich in traditions, history, art and one-of-a-kind events.

Finally, just 20 minutes from Castel del Monte, we arrive at the place that gave birth to the settings of the films Lady Hawke and the Name of the Rose, with the very famous actor Sean Connery, a place where you can breathe the air of an ancient time made of knights, barons and lords, we are talking about the beautiful Rocca Calascio. A fortified watchtower of ancient origins which from the Apennines turned its control to the sea, Rocca Calascio is easily accessible by car, but inside the town there are dirt roads reserved for pedestrians. An almost surreal journey when you arrive in front of the Rocca, nestled in the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, surrounded by green mountains and majestic spiked rocks. This castle is the site of interesting classical music concerts and events related to falconry. The fortress is accessed via an ancient drawbridge, now transformed into a small wooden bridge and it is very easy to visit since the castle is always accessible and free. A structure not far from Rocca Calascio, 10 minutes on foot, which gives great value to the whole architectural context is the church of the Madonna della Pietà, an octagonal-shaped church, protagonist of the works of many photographers who go to this place every day to capture the beauty of the landscape with your lens.