Attractions and Places To See around Castel Di Sangro - Top 20

It is located in Pescocostanzo (AQ) and is one of the most significant and complete examples of Abruzzo Baroque.

Ancient palace of Pescocostanzo

The monumental complex of the abbey of San Vincenzo al Volturno is a little-known evocative place. It is made up of the new church, which can be reached by following the dirt road between the cypress trees, and the archaeological area where the remains of the ancient monastery are preserved. The arches are part of the new complex. Visits to the park are by reservation and for information you can write to the following email: info@criptadiepifanio.it.

Barrea is a comune located in the Abruzzo region, in the province of L'Aquila, in Italy. It is located within the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise, and is surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and unspoiled nature. The town is located on the shores of the lake of the same name, Lago di Barrea, which is one of the main attractions of the area. The beauty of the lake and its surroundings makes Barrea an ideal destination for nature lovers and for those who want to spend moments of relaxation and tranquillity. The historic center of Barrea is characterized by narrow streets and stone houses that still maintain the charm of traditional architecture. The church of Santa Maria delle Grazie is one of the main places of interest, with its bell tower. The area around Barrea offers numerous possibilities for excursions, trekking, horse riding and outdoor activities. The national park is famous for its rich fauna and flora, with the possibility of spotting different species of wildlife such as bears, wolves, chamois, deer and golden eagles. Barrea is also famous for its culinary traditions, with typical dishes of Abruzzo cuisine such as homemade pasta, local cheeses and delicious traditional desserts.

The Abbey of San Vincenzo al Volturno is a historic Benedictine abbey located in the territory of the municipalities of Castel San Vincenzo and Rocchetta a Volturno in the Province of Isernia, in the Upper Volturno Valley. The site hosts the excavations of the 5th century Lombard abbey on the left bank of the river and the new 12th century abbey on the right bank which, deeply rebuilt over the centuries, can still be visited today and houses a Benedictine community.

Accessibility: the route is easy to travel and suitable for families. It can be reached by car or a short walk of about 3 and a half kilometers from the center of the village of Pescocostanzo.Information: Municipality of Pescocostanzo - 0864.640003

The hermitage of San Michele Arcangelo, a place of rock worship, is located in a cave at the foot of Mount Pizzalto at an altitude of 1266 m a.s.l. Probably built in place of a pre-existing Italic-Roman cult environment dedicated to Hercules protector of the flocks, with the spread of Christianity and with the presence of the Lombards, it was named after St. Michael the Archangel, protector of the Germanic people. The hermitage appears already in 1183 in a bull of Pope Lucius III and in 1536 is attested in the municipal statutes of Pescocostanzo, as a washhouse for women. In 1597 the peasant society of Pescara restored the sanctuary. During the Second World War it was also used as a refuge and military base. The rock complex consists of an L-shaped facade that has, along the long side, two openings, a larger one, from 1598, with a band order and horizontal crown supported by kneeling shelves and a simpler minor. The two doors lead respectively to the church and to a funeral chapel of the Ricciardelli family. Between the two doors there is a deep round niche, on the bottom of which traces of painted plaster are still visible. The smaller side facade, afferents, leads instead to the living area with two rooms arranged on as many levels, once used also as a shelter for transhumant shepherds. Inside, what is striking is the stark contrast between the rough structure of the vault of the cave and the pavement in local white stone slabs, well connected. Of notable artistic interest is the finely worked balustrade, always in white stone, which divides the presbytery area in width from that intended for the faithful; at the end of the cave there is a simple stone altar and a niche which probably housed the statue of St. Michael the Archangel which today is located in the Rosary church in the town.

Opening periods: 1 August / 10 September - 24 December / 6 January and Easter week every day (11.00 / 13.00-17.00 / 20.00). In other periods, the museum is closed from Monday to Friday.