Overview
The village of Carsoli is cut in two by the Turano river and surrounded by a landscape full of beauty. It is immersed in the nature of the Mounts Carseolani, on the northern slope of the Cavaliere plain, on the slopes of Mount Fontecellese. Its ancient and eventful history will leave you speechless.
At its origins, this village bore the name “Carsioli”, a locality subjugated by the Romans at the end of the 4th century BC. Then, as you can see, it has very ancient origins.
Like much of central Italy, its history is marked by the invasions of the Lombards, who held control throughout the Middle Ages, plundering and destroying. It was the Franks who freed the village from this daily torture and, thanks to the choice of Rainaldo – Count of the Marsi – to settle in the village, Carsoli gained a central role. It was he who donated the Church of Santa Maria in Cellis, built by the monks of San Romualdo, to the Sublacense monastery. You can visit it and appreciate its beauty, especially the most important and noteworthy work from the 12th century that is the stone portal with rich plant and animal decorations, preserving its original form, typical of Benedictine architecture.
Around the year one thousand, the Counts of the Marsi also built the Castle of Colle Sant'Angelo, precisely for the purpose of protecting the village. Its remains can still tell those stories, including struggles, strategies and battles. The castle is also known as “Forte de' Leoni”, in memory of a feudal lord who went down in history for his particularly violent rule. The oldest element is the tower, at the corner of the two surrounding walls. There are two other quadrangular towers at the end of the two arms of the enclosure. In the 14th century, Carsoli came under the rule of the Orsini family, followed by the Colonna family. This is an important historical testimony that will allow you to fully relive the ancient history of Carsoli and its lords.
Have you heard what a beautiful history this characteristic Abruzzese village has, and what importance it has had in the region? But this is not the end of what Carsoli has to offer. For hiking and nature lovers, it will be inevitable to stop at the Pietrasecca Caves Nature Reserve, where it is possible to go on excursions, even guided ones, to discover caves, geosites and enchanting paths. The reserve – which covers about 110 hectares in the Cavaliere plain – was established in 1992 and is located in the Monti Carseolani area and neighbouring areas, in the territory of Carsoli. The aim of the Reserve is to protect the peculiarities of the karstic area where you will find the Ovito Cave and the Deer Cave, frequented from prehistoric times to the Roman age and inhabited by cave fauna. In spring, the lush beech forests that form the backdrop to the waterfall are a must-see spectacle.
If you are visiting in the month of June then you can savour the “cecamariti”, a typical dish celebrated in its namesake festival. In addition, you can taste other local dishes such as “orapi”, “rentorta pizza”, homemade pasta with tomato sauce or an exquisite “pecora al cotturo”. In October, the chestnut festival is famous.