Overview
Located in the Upper Aterno Valley, Cagnano Amiterno is one of the northwestern gateways to the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park.
The origins of this village date back to medieval times, when undoubtedly the territories played a fundamental role in the history of L'Aquila. Evidence of this interest is the Castle you will find on the Cascina Plateau, which was one of the 99 founders of L'Aquila. Along the area you will also see the fortified Dragonetti farmhouse, dating from the 17th century.
The land is characterized by deep valleys carved by streams flowing into the Aterno. It boasts almost unspoiled landscapes, ideal for those who love to be in contact with nature. The Cascina Plateau, in particular, lends itself to interesting excursions with its springs, fountains and sinkholes, like a natural amphitheater in which the steps are represented by forests of hazel, beech, hornbeam, maple and manna ash.
After pampering your eyes and your body with the unparalleled gifts of nature, delve into the heart of the village of Cagnano Amiterno to touch on other legacies from centuries past. We invite you to linger in the Church of Saints Cosma and Damiano located at the top of a hill overlooking the small village of Torre, a hamlet of Cagnano. Dating back to the 15th century, it is characterized by a single nave of considerable size and a quadrangular facade of squared stone enriched by a portal with a rectangular window dating back to 1811.
Going on, you will reach the Church of Maria Santissima della Natività in which you can distinguish the original medieval structure with a rectangular Latin cross plan divided into three naves. The facade is in hewed stone with a very simple portal. Also worth a visit is the small church of San Rocco, which was almost entirely rebuilt following the 1703 earthquake, as evidenced by its 18th century stucco decorations. It has a hall-like layout and a simply plastered facade, with an 18th 19th century portal and large window.
A long hike will certainly make your stomachs grumble. How not to sit down and try the local cuisine? Some dishes to try might be sagne e fagioli, fettuccine with wild boar sauce, various egg pasta preparations with solina wheat and buckwheat flour, truffle and wild boar specialties, arrosticini, and sausages.
If you are a meat lover, the ideal time to visit Cagnano Amiterno is in August when the Wild Boar Festival is organized.