Calascio, Province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo

In a wonderful position just below the renowned citadel called La Rocca. The place is today nearly abandoned by the local people, but an obliged stop for history-motivated tourists.

Info

Altitude: 1210 m a.s.l
Distance from L'Aquila: 22 km
Population: ca. 200 inhabitants
Postal code: 67020
Dialing Area Code: +39 0862
How to reach it: by bus, from L'Aquila; by road, A25 L'Aquila-Roma, exit L'Aquila Est, then S.S.17bis from L'Aquila.

History

An important defensive centre in the early Middle Ages, came under Leonello De Acclozemora in the second half of the XIV century, was later given to Ferdinand, king of Naples. At that time a slow decline of the citadel began, and the villagers started to build houses away from the fortress, on the site where the village now rises. Painter Teofilo Patini lived for a long time there.

What to see

The fortress called La Rocca at 1460 m. a.s.l. on a mountain top, among the most interesting in Italy for its structure, often used as the scenery for epic movies. The Rocca is different from the other castles of the Aquilan territory, which were intended as a refuge for the villagers and therefore very large. On the contrary, this was intended only to accomodate the troops.
The charming, peculiar octagonal church of St. Maria della Pietà (XVII century), on a solitary plateau, at the foot of the Fortress.
The church of San Nicola.
The Monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
The church of San Francesco.