With nearly 1500 meters of altitude is the highest castle in Italy and among the highest in Europe, as well as one of the oldest inhabited by humans in Abruzzi. It 'one of the fortifications that blends more with the impervious rocky land surrounding it, built entirely of white limestone and placed on both sides of one ridge to the valley of the domain Tirino and plain Navelli. From here you can enjoy a spectacular view of Campo Imperatore and the Gran Sasso. Its main role was to control the most important route tratturale aquilano passing beneath its walls. The small size made it suitable only Rocca Calascio for military purposes and to accommodate a small garrison, which is why his foot developed the village, soon also surrounded by walls to defend popoalzione from raids by pirates and invaders, and by is increasingly affecting even the most remote valleys.

La Rocca is connected to the village from a wooden bridge, a long retractable. In 1703 a disastrous earthquake damaged the castle and the town of Rocca Calascio: they were just rebuilt the houses in the lower part and many people preferred to move in the underlying Calascio, country of recent origin.
The upper part is inhabited by the last'50s, although lately some house has been restored in one of these we can find a refuge-restaurant-hostel.
The castle was the subject of restoration and consolidation, so that today it is fully and freely available. Many of you will remember as the castle ruins in the movie Lady Hawke. Ultimately, it is a place to visit at all.

Rigopiano, hamlet of Farindola, is a major tourist center, the starting point for interesting and delightful excursions, caving and climbing, rich in facilities and sports. E''una conca Karstic of exceptional beauty in the heart of the Gran Sasso massif, at approximately 1200 meters above sea level, crossed by the River Rigo and located at the foot of the mountains S. Vito (m. 1952), Siella (m. 2000), Cup (m. 1800) and Alb (m. 2564).
The mountain, which is entirely included within the National Park of Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga, is characterized by vast pastures and forests to beech forest that offered the opportunity to pass up to the present day civic uses of pasture and firewood. Not infrequently, you can see the animals grazing.
Well organized is the heritage receptive. The area equipped for picnic benches with wooden covers fire ignition points entirely feasible in stone and playground for children. The rest of the summer are made of wood perfectly integrated into the territory and remain open until late at night to enjoy the cool evenings during the typical local products (pecorino farindolese, arrosticini, etc..).

Great for picnics immersed in nature.

Rigopiano

Prati di Tivo is a tourist resort on the mountain slopes of Gran Sasso, in the municipality of Pietracamela.
The name seems to come from the backward-term grassland meadows that late date its position in high altitude (1450 m).
It is located 6 km from the center of Pietracamela and 40 km from Teramo.
Abundant accommodation consists of many hotels.

A Prati di Tivo are active ski downhill skiing and ski lifts in two modern lifts, a quad and a two-seater, which arrives in 1800. There is still the old seggovia single seater that goes to 2050 meters dell'Arapietra. All installations are located at the foot of the northern side of the Little Horn. There is also a track for cross country skiing.

In summer the town Prati di Tivo offers several options for hiking and climbing with different levels of commitment: from simple walks in the woods on a difficult rock climbing.
Through the Arno Valley and Rio Campo Pericoli is possible to make a crossing and reach Campo Imperatore.

Imposing and majestic Gran Sasso is seen by Meadows. You leave 'breathless!

Beautiful stretch of water from the Gran Sasso, the aquifer system of Campo Imperatore.

After a karst of 25 km, out of a valley. The water flow rate is constant throughout the year (6000 l / sec) at a temperature of 11 °, no tributaries, the waters are always clear. Tirino River is one of most rivers' cleanest in Europe.

Downstream, feeds three sources, Capo d'Acqua, Presciano and the small lake below Capestrano but the largest inflow is from Capo d'Acqua being the other two almost firm. The name derives from the greek "crushed" and means precisely threefold source, the valley in which flows are also called Tritan valley or valley chopped.

The river is home to trout (including fario) and very few crabs. Herons, gallinelle river otters and represent the fauna. Characteristic of this river are the cinerini willow and white willow, but the oaks and juniper red.

A wonderful stretch of water!

Il Fiume Tirino

The provincial road Rigopiano-Castelli is a stretch of road that connects the side of the Gran Sasso Pescara, Teramo to that. It stretches for about 20km. Starting from Rigopiano falls after bends and breathtaking views in the town of Castelli. The foothills, along lla dense beech forest characteristic of these places, at the foot of Monte Alb.

We expect impressive views of the east and north walls of Monte Alb. After about 10km journey towards Castelli, your eyes open 'take to the mountains, and Brancastello Corno Grande. Enjoy views ranging from the sea to the hill until you arrive at 2912mt.

The river is born on Mount Ruzza take a 2560mt. Right tributary of the river Mavone.

Around Pretaro, above the shrine of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of the stream forms a waterfall. The waterfalls can be reached on foot for a path of about 300 meters in which a sudden stop and we must continue along the stones of the nearby torrente.Proprio there is a chalet-restaurant.

Excellent idea for a beautiful day surrounded by nature.

Near Pretaro, you can 'visit The Hermitage of Fra' Nicholas, better known as Cave Frattagrande. This is a tiny church almost embedded in the rock, built by the hermit of the Gran Sasso, who spent his days in meditation. Among Torretta Nicola, was born in Picciano (PE) in 1803, and since 1825 he abandoned the wealthy family home and a life that did not reflect all the principles of charity, humility, brotherhood, to withdraw from the ruins of the Castello di Pagliara.

CAMPO IMPERATORE OBSERVATORY

 

The Observatory of Campo Imperatore is now an observing station of the Astronomical Observatory of Rome, situated near the Gran Sasso d'Italia (AQ) at about 2200 m of altitude.

The station, as a project, born in the 50s, and through a special financing sees its completion a few years later. In the early 60's opened the first telescope, one by 60/90/180 cm Schmidt, now equipped with a CCD imager with wide field and has a control system and pointing high automation. In the'70s, finally, a broadening of the structure, building a new dome that now houses the infrared telescope AZT-24 by 1.1 m. From this observatory, the astronomers can still enjoy one of the darkest skies of Italy like the alpine village and perhaps exceeded only by a few mountain innermost of Sardinia.

On 3 September 1943, in room 201 (now 220) of the existing hotel at Campo Imperatore, Benito Mussolini was imprisoned.

Today, the facility has a capacity of 100 beds with 200-250 covered restaurant, tavern Abruzzo, reading rooms and lounge, bar.

Located a few miles from the center of Brittoli and Cannatina, the point of Forca di Penne is characterized dala its squat tower of medieval origin that can be seen for miles around. Here converge the roads that go to Brittoli Civitaquana and, on the Pescara and Ofena Capestrano and, on the aquilano. Good base for excursions to the mountain peak and mountain Scarafano. Forca di Penne is one of the most interesting in Abruzzo for ornithologists, it is worth noting that live here permanently copies of the most beautiful species of birds of prey in the region as the eagle, peregrine falcon, kestrel, sparrowhawk and the buzzard. I am not at all rare to Allocco, the barbagianni the codirosso and green woodpecker.

Tower of Forca di Penne

 

Pass the center of Villa Celiera, we arrive, after a few kilometers facts bends and climbs in places' The Climbing.

Here you will find a residential area, very welcoming, which provides a good base for excursions to the Villa di Merletti Celiera, Mount Bertona and near the plateau Voltigno.

CLIMBING OF VILLA CELIERA

 

 

Located at the foot of Mount Camiciab, in the Parco del Gran Sasso, the town of Castelli is a village surrounded by an agricultural landscape and clay gullies.
Is the presence of argilla, along with that of water (for dough) and wood (for furnaces), who led a community of Benedictine monks, maybe nine or ten centuries ago, to start the production of ceramics. Since then the country has lived ceramic, including the'600 and'700, when the great masters have made an art of this product really refined, even in the courts of kings.

Castelli in addition to the museum worth visiting the church of San Donato, known as the Sistine Chapel of Maiolica. The whole time it is entirely made of painted pottery, (see photo opposite). The ceiling of this new church, painted between 1615 and 1617, is unique both in Italy and in the rest of Italy.

The crib is made up of Monumental 54-size statues and filed within the 'Institute of Art where you can admire the collection of international pottery' s modern art.

SLEEPING BEAUTY - Gran Sasso

Castel del Monte

Along with Val d'Angri, is a nature reserve established by the Regional Lead LR 28 September 1989, n.87, included in the Parco Nazionale Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga. E 'on the territory of two provinces, L'Aquila and Pescara, but a large part lies in the territory of Nora Carpineto and a small part belongs to Ofena. Located on the eastern side of Gran Sasso and is a karst mountainous basin.

Is 'characterized by large beech and "dolines" forms that are typical of karst landscape that occur as a circular depression in which water is absorbed and channeled underground in the streets. In fact, Voltigno in winter, falling snow and a lot of this, when it melts in the spring form many small karst lakes, which then disappear in summer. It remains only a lake called Lake wallpaper, that popular belief has it that the bottom and has not even going to lead directly to the sea. E 'wildlife area of the Abruzzo chamois, are also buzzards, peregrine falcons, deer, the Apennine wolf and wild cat, once there was even the bear.

Il Voltigno

The piana of Fonte Vetica is the most east part of Campo Imperatore.

Vetica source is surrounded by beautiful mountains, among which the Monte shirt, is the highest of the coastal watersheds of the Gran Sasso. On Campo Imperatore (south), with soft bumps down, apart from a number of paretine below the summit, overlooking the pine forest and the plain of Vetica Source. The forest consists of spruce and white from where numerous paths marked with signs for wonderful hiking. From here you can reach Monte Siella, Mount and Mount Tremoggia shirt and take the mount.

Characteristic of the place are the famous "braceri" where you can enjoy the excellent meat (cooked by you) and local cheeses at the TOP, as the marches of Castel del Monte.

Also remember the many films and commercials shot in Source Vetica and Campo Imperatore including "They called him Trinity" and "... continued to call Trinity" with Bud Spencer and Terence Hill.

Like all mountains high, complex and very busy, the Gran Sasso has had its share of tragedies. On ridges and on the streets it's easy to bump into commemorative plaques.

Very sad is the tragedy that occurred on the slopes of Mount Bolz, not far from Source Vetica territory ofenese.

Here, on 13 October 1919 the pastor of Pupi Nunzio Roio died with his daughter surprised by a blizzard of snow, his wife in a desperate attempt to help them go insane and die from the pain. The sculptor has given Vicentino Michetti marble in this tragedy to honor those who have died in these mountains.

In 2006, reckless hands rubbed the work that now needs to be repaired. Are you planning to move it somewhere more secure and less hidden.

A few meters from the Castle of Rocca Calascio is the picturesque church of St. Maria della Pietà (XVI sec.).

The elegant little temple, built according to tradition on a pre-existing newsstand votive, was built at the end of the sixteenth century, on octagonal. At the suggestion of the central, which recalls similar bodies built in Italy from the fourteenth century, it combines the exceptional landscape value of the site, the church is placed close to the abandoned village of Rocca Calascio, a domain of the underlying plain Navelli, traveled from Tratturo. Interior space, organized by a system of Tuscan pilasters and covered with a dome eight segments, is in severe forms sixteenth, one of the external facade, with a general disorganicità, it puts a building used as a sacristy.

The oratory is one of the stages of a conventional devotional route.

The Shrine of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of the Abruzzo region is a sanctuary, located at the foot of Gran Sasso, in the town of Isola del Gran Sasso d'Italia, in the province of Teramo. There are 4 main structures: the convent in which there is the seat of passion, the old church where he died in St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows (see photo opposite), the new church in reinforced concrete and steel, which is usually open on Sundays to accommodate the large number of pilgrims, and the headquarters of Eco San Gabriel, the monthly magazine related to the sanctuary.

In the old church, this is an interesting museum that collects testimonies of so many faithful, the miracles of San Gabriel.

St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows is the patron saint of Abruzzo. The Shrine of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows is a pilgrimage destination for a very dear young people, two key appointments, one in March, a hundred days from the state to get the diploma of secondary school, where thousands dall'Abruzzo of students coming from Italy and come to the shrine to pray for a successful outcome of the examination, and in which the pens are blessed. L 'in the other Sunday of August, which formed a tent in which young people (but not so young) we camped for five days, giving life to a religious meeting.

Among the famous visitors to the shrine, Pope John Paul II and the then Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Joseph Ratzinger. The memory of these visits is testimaoniato from the photos on display in the modern sanctuary.



HOW TO GET TO THE SHRINE OF ST GABRIEL

* By car
The sanctuary is located three kilometers from the A24 Roma-Teramo-L'Aquila.
From Rome: take the A24 towards Teramo, exit at S. Gabriel, "and follow the signs to the sanctuary, which is located 3 km.
From Bologna: take the A14 to the south, exit at "Giulianova-Teramo, Teramo towards here and take the A24 towards Aquila-Roma, exit at St. Gabriel."
From Bari: take the A14 north, exit at "Roseto degli Abruzzi", take the SS 150 towards Teramo Villa-Vomano after 15 km. take the A24 towards Roma-L'Aquila, exit at St. Gabriel. "

* By bus
From Rome there are several trips a day Teramo bus through the ARPA, which depart from the square of the Tiburtina Station (weekdays: 6.15 / 8.10 / 12.25 / 14.25 / 15.15 / 18 / 19.30; holidays: 8.10 / 13.30 / 18 / 19.30 / 22 / 22.15). Get off at Teramo and take the bus to the sanctuary.
From Teramo (weekdays only) there is a bus for shrine Yard S. Francis (ore 6.40; 8:15, 11, 12:35, 13:40, 14, 17, 19).

* By train
From Bologna and Bari (Lecce-Milan line): Get off at station Giulianova, then take the tram (runs every 30 minutes) in Teramo, from here take the bus to the sanctuary.

Santo Stefano di Sessanio is a town of 120 inhabitants of the province of: is also part of the mountain-Campo Imperatore plain of Navelli. It's part of the Club dei Borghi più belli d'Italia.

The local history has always been linked to the pastoral sin from the Middle Ages, the village was connected to the nearby Benedictine grancia Santa Maria a Monte, called by the local population "Convento di Casanova". The powerful monastic order to supervise the main pastoral activities throughout the district.

Attached to a long period to the Barony of Carapelle, Santo Stefano di Sessanio of family feud became De 'Medici of Florence during the sixteenth century.

Incorporated in the Kingdom of Naples during the sixteenth century, the country continued to enjoy a flourishing economy, until the advent of a profound social crisis - economic, forcing the inhabitants to emigration, has led to the almost total depopulation and a inexorable decline in the course of the twentieth century.

Only in recent years, the charm of the village drew the attention of foreign investors and local entrepreneurs, who managed to give new life to the country, now sought after tourist destination.

A long path that allows you to know and appreciate a unique environmental and cultural heritage along the old paths, cart paths and unspoilt beauty of landscapes, towns and villages, pastures and forests of beech and oak. The routes mainly follow the existing ones which, for centuries, have linked villages and towns divided by the mass of the Gran Sasso or have always been used by farmers to reach the fields at high altitudes.

The park has achieved a great loop around the massif of the Gran Sasso, enriched by a mesh of branches and shorter, for a total of about 300 km of trails properly restored.
The track grows on the slopes aquilano Teramo and Pescara del Gran Sasso d'Italia. The intervention led to the establishment of areas to stop or step equipped with shelters for horses, as is the case of the complex in the town of Knights Crognaleto, with a guest house 50 beds, a restaurant, an information point and a barn that can accommodate up to 10 horses.