Barisciano, Province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo

The village is situated just below Monte della Selva (1623 m.), in the Southern side of the Gran Sasso group. The surrounding countryside is rich in herbs such as thyme, helicrysus and pharmaceutical issopus.

Info

Altitude: 940 m a.s.l
Distance from L'Aquila: 19 km
Population: ca. 1700 inhabitants
Postal code: 67021
Dialing Area Code: +39 0862
How to reach it: AA24 Roma-L'Aquila, Exit L'Aquila Est, then S.S.17bis towards Pescara; bus and trains, from L'Aquila.

History

On the site there was a Roman settlement, as shown by the remains of Via Claudia Nova and nearby Forfona archaeological area. Founded between the fifth and seventh centuries AD, the village expanded absorbing the surrounding "villas", Villa San Basilio, Bariscianello and Santa Maria di Forfona, which were added to the original quarters of San Flaviano and Santa Maria di Serra. In the XIII century Barisciano took part to the foundation of L'Aquila, in 1380 was invaded by Amatrice troops and in 1424 was sieged by Braccio da Montone and surrendered. The village women were taken to L'Aquila with their breasts bare to humiliate them. But the time the ferocious condottiere lost at Barisciano gave the city of L'Aquila the chance to reorganize and finally defeat him.

What to see

The remains of the medieval Castle, imposing in the highest point of the centre, guarding the Piana di Navelli on the one side and the road to Gran Sasso on the other.
The church of Santissima Trinità
The XIV-century church of Santa Maria di Capo di Serra
The church of St. Maria di Valleverde.