Overview
People who go to spas usually say, "I'm going to pass the waters".
In Carapelle Calvisio, in the province of L'Aquila, it would be more correct to say, "I'm going to pass the air", one of the most precious assets of the community, included in the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park.
Almost liquid, transparent, clear air, at an altitude of about 900 metres above sea level, which waters the lungs and promises a stay of psycho-physical well-being. Pine and oak forests, which color the southern offshoots of the Gran Sasso d'Italia dark green, and, in October, with the sci-fi shades of saffron, extended in the Navelli Plateau, about ten kilometres from the village.
Almost a separate planet of beauty and nature, which you can "penetrate" and make your own with a series of walks and hikes, such as the one of about an hour, which takes you to the Sanctuary of San Pancrazio, giving you a wonderful panorama of mountainous Abruzzo, its most secret heart.
Set out from the village as you leave the medieval walls and begin to climb as the villages of Castelvecchio Calvisio, Santo Stefano di Sessanio and Rocca Calascio open up behind you. Continue the walk on a stony dirt road, which opens up to the Navelli Plateau, the Maiella and the rocks and gullies of the Sirente, then among junipers and oaks, you arrive at your "treasure," flanked by the ruins of a medieval building and overlooking a vast panorama, illuminating the valley of Ofena and Capestrano.
The small religious monument is open during certain events throughout the year.
On your way back, treat yourself to a visit to the village, whose origins probably date back to Roman times. Historical sources report that not far from the village, in the locality of San Martino, there was a temple dedicated to the cult of Venus, and the adjective "Calvisio" derives from the name of a priestess of the Calvisia family.
In 1273, under Charles I of Anjou, it became a barony (with the centres of Castelvecchio Calvisio, Calascio, Rocca Calascio, Santo Stefano and, for a brief period, also Castel del Monte). In 1743, it passed to Charles III of Bourbon, King of Naples, until the unification of Italy.
Observe the urban structure of the town, with the ring road flanking the walls and defence works, with the narrow streets topped by arches and small arches joining buildings with tiny widenings where people could gather.
Visit the newly reopened and freshly restored Church of the Madonnella on Capestrano Street, while you still have to wait to admire the small but precious artistic heritage of the churches of St. Francis of Assisi, the Beata Vergine and San Vittorino and Santa Maria delle Grazie, still uninhabitable after the 2009 earthquake.
At lunchtime, do not miss the traditional dishes of the province of L'Aquila, scented with truffles, if you are in harvest season, and seasoned with the excellent extra virgin olive oil.
Like the air, a healthy store of long life.