Loreto Aprutino, Province of Pescara, Abruzzo

Southwest of Pescara, among hills of olive trees, Loreto stands out against the sky with its imposing Palazzo Chiola (a formerly medieval castle) and the Church and the belltower of San Pietro Apostolo, and promises the visitor a wealth of artistic and historical treasures. The area is renowned for its olive oil production.

Info

Altitude: 294 m a.s.l
Distance from Pescara: 24 km
Population: ca. 7500 inhabitants
Postal code: 65014
Dialing Area Code: +39 085
How to reach it: by road, from Pescara or Montesilvano S.N. 16 bis, then S.N. 151; by motorway, A14 exit Pescara Nord.

Administrative Division

Loreto Aprutino includes the following frazioni: Acquamorta, Belvedere, Bufarale, Burlesco, Camposacro, Cancelli, Cardito, Cartiera, Casafora, Castelluccio, Cecalupo, Collatuccio, Colle Carpini, Colle Cavaliere, Collecera, Collefreddo, Colle Ospedale, Collepalma, Cordano, Cupello, Farina, Ferrauto, Fiorano, Fiume, Fontemaggio, Fonte Murata, Fornace, Galliano, Gallo, Gomma, Lauriana, Madonna degli Angeli, Moscone, Muretto, Palazzo, Pallante, Pantano, Passo Cordone, Paterno, Piano della Morte, Poggio Ragone, Pozzelle, Pretore, Pretosa, Remartello, Rielli, Rotacesta, Sablanico, Saletto, Salmacina, San Domenico, San Giovanni, San Pellegrino, San Quirico, Santa Maria in Piano, Scannella Inferiore, Scannella Superiore, Scrizzetto, Sgariglia, Silvi, Valle Passeri, Valle Stella, Vicenne, Villa Erminia

History

Italic necropolis at Colle Fiorano and Farina-Cardito show that the area was already inhabited in the VI century B.C. Later on, in the early Middle Ages, it was known under the name of Castrum Laureti and was the capital of a countdom. Its importance in the medieval period is reflected in the many works of art which embellished the rich medieval centre. Later on it belonged to the D'Aquino Family and in the 16th century was first under the D'Avalos and finally the D'Afflitto.

What to see

Majestic Palazzo Chiola, of the XVIII century
Beautiful palaces and mansions, as Palazzo Acerbo, Casa Antimo, Casa Baldini-Palladini, Casa Raietta
The church of San Pietro Apostolo, with fine windows and a silver urn with San Zopito's relics
The church of San Francesco d'Assisi (XIV century), with a fine portal and huge belltower, was renovated inside in 1601
The church of Santa Maria in Piano, with frescoes on the life of St. Thomas the Aquinote, whose family ruled over the town, and the magnificent Universal Judgement Cycle
The Torre Dragone remains
The Museo Acerbo, with a fine gallery of Abruzzo ceramics.
In the areas of Re Martello and Castelluccio, remains of the lower Paleolithic
A Necropolis in contrada Farina where pottery and female ornaments of the Italic populations were found, and another necropolis in contrada Colle Fiorano.

Events and Festivities

Whitsunday and Monday: Feast of San Zopito, the Patron Saint of the place, during which a white ox, ridden by a child in white robes, is obliged to kneel down before the Saint's statue, and then follows it into the Church.

Where to stay

Hotels.

Genealogy and Links

People researching in Loreto Aprutino
Newspaper articles on Loreto Aprutino
The Pentecoste (Whitsuntide) celebrations in honor of St. Zopito with the peculiar tradition of the white ox, an article by Vincenzo Battista.

Map

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