Overview
The ancient village, surrounded by evocative and almost unspoiled nature, tells of the still visible medieval influences in the urban planning and architecture of its historic centre. If the remains of the ancient cyclopean walls narrate of prehistoric settlements, the more recent history is contained in a symbol: the Tower, which dominates the centre and pops up from the remains of the old Castle of "Rocca Vecchia”, which belonged to the Piccolomini family. But there is also another tower that fascinates those who stand in front of it: it is the Tower of Venus dei Marsi, dating back to the 13th century.
Like so many small jewels of art and spirituality, numerous churches dot the historic centre, which should be walked through while losing yourself in the details of this beauty.
A relevant figure of the village is the writer Ignazio Silone, whose birthplace house is preserved in the village. It is located in the historic centre and a few steps from the Giovenco River, where the writer lived his early childhood years; it was destroyed by the 1915 earthquake during which his mother lost her life.
Undoubtedly worth visiting and dedicated to the writer is the Ignazio Silone Museum, in the rooms of the ex-convent of San Francesco. It houses documents and testimonies on the writer's life and works, targeting in particular students and new generations in order to transmit to them those same ideals of freedom and integrity that were the basis of his work.
In 2015, the CAI of Pescina inaugurated the Sentiero Silone (Silone Trail), which is dedicated to the writer. It was elaborated as a result of intense research on the territory of Pescina itself and the Giovenco Valley and was traced following the very places meticulously described by the author.
Another relevant historical figure who has his birthplace in the Abruzzi village is the Cardinal Giulio Raimondo Mazzarino. He was a cardinal, politician and diplomat, who was active in France in the 17th century and succeeded Cardinal Richelieu as Principal Minister under the reign of Louis XIV. We suggest visiting the dedicated House Museum, built at the behest of the Milanese patron Gervaso Rancilio.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria delle Grazie, built in the early 1600s, is of stunning beauty. At the top there is a rose window in late Gothic style, while three late Renaissance portals open onto the portico. On the right, the facade is bordered by the mighty bell tower from the late 1500s.
What could you taste to end your busy cultural day in Pescina? Many are the dishes offered by the local tradition! We recommend you try truffle risotto, saffron pasta, maccheroni alla pecorara, macaroni with ceppe, a delicious mutton stew, and torroncini and neole to sweeten your spirits.