Overview
If "height is half beauty," as the saying goes, Basciano embellishes the province of Teramo by jutting out over the Gran Sasso of Italy like one of the most striking balconies in the region.
And although its elevation is "only" about 400 metres, the village goes out of its way to look higher. Try to believe it and climb up to the village set on a spur from which the view sweeps over the splendid valleys of the Vomano and Maone with the silhouettes appearing in the distance, like a mirage, of Mount Camicia, Prena, from Brancastello, Pizzo Intermesoli, Corvo and Gorzano to Pizzo di Moscio and the Mounts Gemelli.
You will feel projected into the sky as if you were on Everest.
The remains of walls and castle that you can see on your discovery walk testify that Basciano in the Middle Ages was a fortified village, as indeed were almost all settlements on hilltops.
Visit the parish church of San Flaviano, which has been recorded as far back as 1073, and appears in its 16th century makeover style, with the date 1592 on the portal. It has a brick facade with a rectilinear crowning, surmounted by three pyramidal pinnacles supported by corbels, which are repeated on the ribbed bell tower.
If you are a fan of sacred music and ancient organs, you will find one from the late 18th century inside.
Move on to the Romanesque church of Santa Maria (ad Portum Longum), probably dating from the 14th century, with a beautiful ceiling covered with majolica tiles and a precious wooden altar from the 1600s, in the Baroque style.
Another style you find in the village, this time gastronomic, is that of "Prosciutto crudo di Basciano" a local excellence to which you cannot say no. Made from the thigh of mature pork, it is prepared according to traditional rules, carefully cured in suitable environmental conditions and dried by the air coming from Gran Sasso. Its meat, chosen from those of the best pigs, is bright red in color and is slightly salty and very tasty on the palate. No need to say that Basciano ham should be eaten au naturel and in thin slices so that you do not lose the heavenly sensation of the meat slowly melting in your mouth.
If you are a lover of good wine, venture on an itinerary to discover Montonico le petit champagne d'Abruzzo. It is now a Slow Food presidium, a very vigorous vine that, thanks to its innate gifts of adaptation, has found its right identity in the high hill areas of Teramo, from whose grapes comes a sparkling wine, straw-colored with faint greenish reflections, with a soft, fresh and lively taste, to appreciate with the delicacies of the local culinary tradition. The itinerary, which starts in Teramo touches the towns of Basciano, Bisenti, Castiglione Messer Raimondo, Montefino, Cellino Attanasio, Cermignano and Penna Sant'Andrea.
If you're in the area in August, don't miss the Prosciutto Festival, where you'll find the delicacy cured and branded by local charcutiers, accompanied by melon and other local products.
A chance to have fun while enjoying to the beat of local music an excellent product, comfortably served at tables in covered stands. You will feel part of the local traditions.