Overview
Be careful not to get its name wrong. You are in Lecce "nei" Marsi and not in Lecce "dei" Marsi, like the other villages in the area: a preposition that claims a different affiliation and origin.
Some studies, in fact, trace the birth of the town back to some families from the Asian region of Lycia, who arrived in the surrounding area in the 10th century after the Crusades.
After establishing that the Marsi are not the ancient "fathers" of the village, please enjoy the territory of the village in the province of L'Aquila. It is immersed in the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park: a green lung all to be explored with a series of trails dedicated to the Marsican brown bear, which intersect in the Bear Valleys.
Check the park's website for walks, trails, and hiking opportunities.
The town, built during the 20th century after the 1915 earthquake, is situated 740 metres above sea level on the slopes of Mount Turchio, on the southeastern slope of the Fucino plain.
Visit the 12th-century church of Santa Maria Assunta, which was destroyed and remodeled several times. In the locality of Macchia, on the other hand, you will find the small rural church of Sant'Antonio, in the locality of Vallemora stands the brand-new church of San Biagio, while between Ortucchio and Lecce nei Marsi you can admire the sanctuary of the Madonna del Pozzo, whose original building dates back to the 12th century. In addition to religious monuments, go hunting for ancient vestiges.
With a good walk, you can reach the nucleus of Lecce Vecchio, which was destroyed by the earthquake. The fortified village and what remains of it can be seen on two hills, with scattered hamlets such as Sierra, Buccella and Macchia and the hamlets of Taroti, Vallemora and Castelluccio.
In the nearby locality of La Guardia, you'll discover the remains of the castle, possibly belonging to the Trasmondi marquises, and also the medieval tower of Litium. In the village, the Renaissance artist Andrea De Litio was probably born. He has been described by art critic Vittorio Sgarbi as "a peripheral expression of a great Italian Renaissance".
At lunchtime you can expect, to your delight, maccheroni alla chitarra, ravioli, fettuccine with tomato sauce with veal and pork, anellini alla pecoraia, legume soups, and the typical arrosticini made with sheep meat: the most genuine dishes of this part of Abruzzo's territory.
A celebration for all the senses.
What else to see:
- The disused bauxite mine, in the locality of Collerosso
- The karst upland of Cicerana, in the locality of La Guardia
- The ancient beech forest of Selva Moricento
- The Neolithic archaeological site of Rio Tavana
- The archaeological site of Vicus Annius