Park Municipalities
Province of Chieti
CIVITELLA MESSER RAIMONDO
The village, placed in front of “Santo spirito” gorge, seems to be different
in every season, thanks to its enchanting and colourful scenario.
The landscape is enrichened by the view of Sant'Angelo’s Lake into which
merges the Aventino river. The lake and the water courses, in the proper
season, allow fishing, canoe and many other activities; in spring, an
espanse of Aventino can be crossed with canoe until the lake.
The village preserves its old town centre, feature by a thick network of
small, narrow and winding streets.
Don’t Miss: the medioeval castle of Baglioni barons and the Church of
Santissimo Salvatore.
Town Hall: (+39) 0872/980162
FARA SAN MARTINO
The enchanting scenario overlooking the wild valley and the closeness to the
Verde river, make this whistle-stop a wonderful location.
This zone, Defined just for its beautiful standing "porta della Majella" (Majella
Door), hosts very peculiar and amazing spots.
Fara preserves, in the so-called "terra vecchia" (Old Ground), the tracks of
its primal dwelling with ruins of towers and walls.
Don’t Miss: the S. Martino gorges; the caves of Peschio and Porta Arcangeli;
“Porta del Sole” Sun Portal”, XVIIIth Century entrance to the old town
centre; the Church of San Remigio, where is fostered "La Circoncisione" (Circumcision)
by Tanzio da Varallo; the Abbey of S. Martino in Valle and the Wild Fauna
Museum.
Town Hall: (+39) 0872/980155
GAMBERALE
Gamberale, surrounded by wonderful peaks, offers enchanting landscapes made
of wide tablelands, rocky faces, thick beechwoods and several brooks. These
places are ideal for the trekking-lovers.
This ancient village, dating back to the Early Middle Ages, preserves the
Baronial Palace though it has been restored many times.
Town Hall: (+39) 0872/946764
GUARDIAGRELE
The poet D'Annunzio immortalized Guardiagrele in his work called “Trionfo
della Morte” (Death Triumph) defining it "la nobile città di pietra" (the
noble stone city). This town lays down on a Majella ridge, among clayey
hills and ripped by badlands. Among the rich artistic heritage, preserved in
the old town centre, there stands still the old outside walls, today
incorporated in modern buildings. Among the XVIIth-XIXth Centuries palaces,
stands out the Church of S. Maria Maggiore, the façade of which is entirely
made of Majella stone. A big fresco by Andrea Delitio portraying S.
Cristoforo is protected by a portico on the right side of the Church. On the
other side it can be seen a wonderful XVth Century fresco portraying the
Virgin Mary with Her Son. Through the Church you enter the small Cathedral
Museum where there are sculptures, wooden furnitures and XVth Century
hangings. Worthy of mention are the remains of Silver Cross by Nicola from
Guardiagrele.
Don’t Miss: the Archaeological Museum and the local Habits and traditions
one; workshop of copper and wrought-iron; the Shrine of Andrea Bafile, a
heroe of the Second World War, obtained from Majella stone with ceramic
panels by Basilio and Tommaso Cascella.
Town Hall: (+39) 0871/80861.
Registered Office - Majella National Park: (+39) 0871/80371
LAMA DEI PELIGNI
The territory of Lama dei Peligni, placed at the foot of Mount Amaro,
expands from the riversides of the Aventino to the wide plateaux of Majella
high-altitudes, inside an area packed with caves. The Cavallone Caves, the
entrance of which is inside of Taranta Valley, go through the territory of
Lama dei Peligni with a total route of 1305 meters. They form a fascinating
itinerary made of enchanting scenarios, full of stalactites and stalagmites,
immortalized by D'Annunzio in his work "Figlia di Iorio" (Jorio’s Daughter).
The old town centre hosts the Church of San Nicola, where is preserved the
Madonna: a small silver statue by Nicola from Guardiagrele, already joined
in the National Monuments List.
Don’t Miss: the Botanic Garden and the "M. Locati" Natural Museum; the
Faunistic Area of Chamois; the caves of Sant'Angelo and Cavallone.
Town Hall: (+39) 0872/91221
Botanic Garden/Natural Museum: (+39) 0872.916067
LETTOPALENA
Lettopalena, placed at the foot of Majella and close to the right riverside
of the Aventino, offers natural treasures of extraordinary value and
beautiful hiking trails.
Don’t Miss: the Abbey of S. Maria di Monteplanizio; “Fonte della Noce” (Walnut
Fountain), endowed with picnic area and gymnastic routes.
Town Hall: (+39) 0872/918471
MONTENERODOMO
Montenerodomo, placed on a rocky spur from which it can be seen a wonderful
landscape extending from Majella to the Adriatic Sea, is surrounded by its
Cyclopean Masonry, made of stones joined without cement. These walls
represent the millenary history of the village, included in its great
surrounding scenario.
Don’t Miss: in the locality called “Madonna del Palazzo” can be found the
ruins of Roman Town Hall Building of Juvanum (Ist Century B.C.) featuring
the Acropolis, the Forum and the Theater.
Town Hall: (+39) 0872/960109
PALENA
Palena, the real sentry of the Aventino Valley, is located after the
Forchetta Pass, next to the Southern slopes of Majella. From this side can
be seen an enchanting scenario: beechwoods and pinewoods, crossed by several
trickles. These forests expand for wide spaces mixed with bare bushes ending
in Guado di Coccia (Ford), since long time regarded as the only pass between
the slopes of Majella.
The most important monument of this village, survived the wartime period, is
the XVIIth Century Church of Rosario, the façade of which has a XVIth
Century rose window. This Church also preserves a Renaissance sculpture
portraying the Virgin Mary with Her Son.
Don’t Miss: the Bear Museum; the “Madonna dell'Altare” (Altar Virgin Mary),
just few Km from the village. This Church was under the jurisdiction of
Celestines and was built next to the retreat where Celestine Vth led
ascetical life for about three years.
Town Hall: (+39) 0872/918112
PALOMBARO
Palombaro, laid down on a rocky spur, offers an enchanting landscape of the
Avello torrent Valley. Its history, like that of the other small villages,
passing from a feudatories to another during the centuries, acquired a
particular feature in the beginning of '900 with the foundation of an
Evangelical-Methodist community.
Don’t Miss: the XVIIIth Century furnitures of parish Church; the Sanctuary
of Assunta and its XIXth Century bell-tower built in neo-Gothic style. Just
few Km from the village there is the Grotta di S. Angelo (S.Angelo’s Cave),
with the ruins of a small medioeval Church on the inside, dating back to the
end of XIth Century.
Town Hall: (+39) 0871/895131
PENNAPIEDIMONTE
Pennapiedimonte, placed at the foot of Majella, on a sheer drop to the
Valley of Avella torrent called "Selva Romana". The rich and undamaged
nature offers an incredible landscape: slight slopes, steep rocks, very
particular canyons, high dunes, winding paths leading to hidden caves.
Several paths flank the mountains and the trails are endowed with
comfortable rest-stop for the trekking-lovers and with rocky faces suitable
for the free-climbing lovers.
Its dwelling is featured by steep alleys with footholds. Moreover, there is
a beautiful XVIIIth Century parish Church, with its stone façade and the
inside decorations such as the paintings by Nicola Ranieri from Guardiagrele.
Its territory encompasses the “Feudo Ugni” Natural Reserve.
Don’t Miss: the caves of “Inferno” (Hell) and “Faggi” (Beeches). The "Donna
Seduta" (Sitting Woman), rocky statue used in the past for the worshipping
of an indigenous deity and after as the figure of Maja Goddess; the ruins of
old Abbey of Santa Maria dell'Avella.
Town Hall: (+39) 0871/897130
PIZZOFERRATO
Pizzoferrato, named "Terrazzo d'Abruzzo" (Abruzzi Terrace) after its
peculiar location and surrounded by mountains and woods of the Valle del
Sole (Sun Valley), stands at the foot of a huge and black bare rock called
"pizzo". It is an ideal place for the trekking-lovers in summer and for the
Alpine Skiing-lovers in winter, thanks to its wonderful surrounding of
mountains.
Don’t Miss: Churches of S. Nicola and S. Domenico in Silvis.
Town Hall: (+39) 0872/946593
PRETORO
Pretoro is on the Eastern slope of Majella, close to Foro river. Thanks to
this position there is a wonderful sight whether in summer, when the
landscape becomes emerald, or in winter when the snow envelopes everything
offering a fairy scenery.
The main traces of its past are the XIIIth Century Sanctuary of “Madonna
della Mazza” and the XVIth Century sculpture piece portraying the “Pietà” (Pity),
preserved in the Church of S. Nicola. The hamlet called “Passo Lanciano” is
well-equipped with ski-runs.
Natural door of Majella National Park, Pretoro offers nice opportunities for
natural hiking. Several are the archaeological sites, particularly the
watermills built among the rocks.
Don’t Miss: the “Valle dell'Angelo” (Angel’s Valley), the Asinara Springs,
the caves of Eremita (Anchoret), Alta (High Cave) and the Faunistic Area of
Wolf.
Town Hall: (+39) 0871/8980001
RAPINO
The village, laid down on a slope, is severed by the Arsella ditch. In
Abruzzo Rapino is well-known for its archaeological evidences particularly
for the “grotta del Colle” (Hill Cave). This represents one of the main
sites to reconstruct the history of the human presence in Abruzzo since
ancient times.
This place is famous especially for the production of ceramic handicrafts.
Don’t Miss: the Roman Portal on the façade of S. Antonio’s Church,
interesting wooden furnitures and XVIIth Century paintings; the Grotta del
Colle (Hill Cave).
Town Hall: (+39) 0871/84431
TARANTA PELIGNA
Taranta Peligna, known for the making of woollen blankets, is placed at the
foot of Majella, in the Aventino river Valley. Tourism developed thanks to
the “grotte del Cavallone” (Big Horse Cave), famous at national level for
the wonderful underground route (1305 meters of length) artistically
enrichened by natural stalactites and stalagmites. The landscape of Aventino
river Valley, flowing along the Eastern side of the dwelling, is very
striking. The most interesting activities are the natural hikes on the path
along the Aventino riverside, so you can enter in the surrounding nature
until the fluvial Park called "Acque Vive" (Living Waters). This itinerary
can be done by canoe too.
Don’t Miss: the “grotte del Cavallone” (Big Horse Cave); the Bell-Tower; the
wooden door wings in the Church of S. Biagio; Churches of S. Nicola and S.S.
Trinità (Holy Trinity), where is preserved a Crucifix distempered on a
shaped wooden panel.
Town Hall: (+39) 0872/910118.
