Overview
The ancient village of Mutignano, halfway between the town of Atri and the sea, represents the historical roots of Pineto, the first settlement of today's town on the Adriatic Riviera, in the province of Teramo.
The town is developed around a main street with side branches consisting of numerous characteristic alleys. The urban fabric all around is surrounded by gullies, the magical erosive phenomenon of the terrain produced by water runoff on clayey rocks, where two million years ago there were sea beds now covered by sparse vegetation but rich in fossils. The village is characterised by the presence of several murals depicting scenes of daily life, painted on some of the façades of the main streets and squares.
During your peaceful walk in Mutignano, we suggest you to stop for a visit at the Church of San Silvestro Papa, dating back to the 12th century and in Romanesque style. It was built in brick with the bell tower set in the centre of the façade, at the base of which is a round-headed portal leading into the interior of the church. The interior has a single nave with side chapels and a wooden truss ceiling. Of particular interest is a 15th-century altarpiece of St. Sylvester near the altar, by the artist Andrea De Litio. Other works inside the church include a 15th-century fresco depicting the Madonna with Child and the Patron Saints, a cross by Nicola da Guardiagrele, a marble crucifix and a 17th-century painting of the Madonna and Child.
Also worth a visit is the Church of St Anthony, built in the Middle Ages and later entrusted to the order of Franciscan Friars. After their abandonment, the church deteriorated until it was rebuilt in 1729 at the expense of Duke Troiano Acquaviva of Aragon.
In this hamlet, the original village of Pineto, the culinary tradition typical of the Abruzzo region does not disappoint and is magnificently celebrated. We suggest savouring the “pasta alla pecorara”, a particular form of fresh pasta made in a ring shape, strictly accompanied by a rich and tasty sauce, rich in vegetables and sometimes even meat, all covered with a good dose of fresh sheep's “ricotta”. Despite the simplicity of peasant cooking, this dish is actually a sumptuous preparation, an expression of the industriousness of the women of yesteryear.
Mutignano is part of the club of the Authentic Villages of Italy.