Overview
Castelvecchio Calvisio can be recognised from above thanks to its very special shape. Since the 13th century, together with the villages of Calascio, Barisciano, Castel del Monte, Carapelle Calvisio and Santo Stefano di Sessanio, it is part of the Terre della Baronia.
This town stands on the top of a hill at an altitude of over 1,000 metres and it has a splendid elliptical shape that seems to enclose the fortified village, making it special and unique. In the centre of this fortified heart, the atmosphere is very suggestive thank to narrow streets covered with vaults and arches, houses on several levels that can be reached thanks to ancient stone staircases known as “barbacani” and glimpses that smack of the Middle Ages.
If you add to this the beautiful landscape that surrounds the village and the intense flavours of its culinary tradition, the charm of Castelvecchio Calvisio becomes even more clear... and you just have to go and discover it for yourself.
Inside this particular treasure chest, however, lies a great secret: the Castello del Capitano, whose origins are unknown, a bit like that village. Mysteries guarded by history, which will never be revealed. Some information is documented from 1313, but nothing is certain until the 15th and 16th centuries, when the Palace became the property of the Corsi family, an important merchant family from Tuscany with “headquarters” in Capestrano.
To enter this magical vault and pass through the ancient walls, you can go through one of the perfectly preserved ancient passages: the Porta di Torre Maggiore, located to the west; the Porta del Ponte Levatoio, located to the north-west; another gate located to the south and of which only one jamb remains; and, finally, the Porta di San Martino, also located to the south and that became internal following the later enlargement of the walls.
Just outside the town, you will find the Church of San Cipriano, of particular importance and beauty. Its origins date back to very ancient times and it is even believed that it was probably built on the remains of an ancient Roman temple dedicated to the goddess Venus. The first news about this gracious church is reported in the Chronicon Volturnense, and dates back to 779. Its structure hints at the various reconstructions it underwent over the centuries until arriving at today's simple, single-nave structure. The most striking feature is undoubtedly the façade, surmounted by a bell tower. Inside, there are valuable 15th-century frescoes, specifically on the side aedicule (to the left of the entrance) and on the apse of the back wall.
The traditional dishes of Castelvecchio Calvisio are closely linked to the world of sheep farming and agriculture. If you find yourself passing through the village on the second Sunday of August, you will be able to participate in the traditional “Cicerchia” festival and taste this local speciality, used above all in soups, but also as a side dish for meat dishes, or cooked in purée. “Cicerchia” flour is also used to prepare “maltagliati” and “tagliatelle”.
On this occasion, you can also taste “strascinati” cabbage, i.e. cooked in a frying pan following a typical procedure, the “misticanza” of poppies, “cincilocche” and rocket, asparagus in oil, “flacchi”, unripe figs to be eaten cooked, with cheese and eggs, lamb in fricassee, cooked with a base of oil and garlic, flavoured with wine and enriched, when cooked, with a sauce made of beaten eggs and herbs, “chiaranese” sheep, stewed in large pots according to the shepherds' custom, with oil, lard, parsley, sage, onion and chilli pepper. And these are just some of the delicacies you could eat. Will you be able to resist?