Overview
Manoppello stands in the Maiella National Park, in the middle Pescara Valley, and it is a place of traditions, art, good food and nature with "hands full" (this is the etymology of the name).
Its history has ancient origins, as evidenced by numerous finds all over the territory, such as the tomb of a warrior dating back to the 3rd century BC or the remains of a Roman domus, in the vicinity of the absolutely unmissable Abbey of Santa Maria di Arabona, which stands in the homonymous hamlet.
Although it is only partially completed and has undergone several transformations, you are in front of the most precious testimony of Cistercian architecture in Abruzzo. Founded probably by a donation in 1197, for two hundred years it was inhabited at the end of the 16th century by the Franciscans; then, it passed to the Zambra family of Chieti until 1968 and finally to the diocese of Chieti.
Admire the architectural structure, in which French and local craftsmen put their hands, and inside two frescoes attributed to Antonio da Atri, an important Abruzzese painter of the second half of the 14th and early 15th centuries. He was educated mainly in the Marche region and was active in various places in the region, primarily in Atri, in the cathedral.
Enter the historic centre to catch the beautiful and the ancient of the Middle Ages, which survives with the remains of a castle and with houses decorated with sculptural details in balconies, windows and doorways.
Among the streets pops out the 14th-century church of San Nicola di Bari, later transformed in the Baroque period. It has a beautiful, stone facade with relief ornaments and an artistic portal preceded by two Romanesque stylobal lions on which are placed graceful small columns. Inside, there is a Baroque crypt and a statue depicting St. Antonio da Padova, made by Giovanni Antonio Santarelli of Manoppello.
Reach the Sanctuary of the Holy Face, which was built between 1617 and 1638 and stands on a hill with a beautiful panoramic view.
Among the various transformations it underwent include the facade on a high flight of steps, entirely rebuilt, three portals and the rose window rebuilt in the Romanesque style as well as the bell tower, which is modern.
Above the high altar, you will find the artistic marble tabernacle with the precious silver, gold and gemstone shrine containing the "miraculous" image of the Holy Face of Christ, which is impressed on a light transparent silk. According to legend, it was delivered by an Angel dressed as a pilgrim to a certain Giacomo Antonio Leonelli from Manoppello.
The Holy Face is not a painting because there are no signs of brush strokes or thickness of color and it has not been altered by contact with light since 1638. For four centuries it has been a destination for pilgrims from Italy and all parts of the world.
What to put in your stomach now? We recommend an excellent old hen broth with egg noodles, sagne with chickpeas and fried onions, tagliatelle with walnuts, lamb tripe, and cod with peppers.
What else to see:
- The church and convent of St. Chiara
- The church of S. Pancrazio
