Overview
Welcomed by the beautiful surrounding landscape, arriving at the heart of the village you will be enchanted by the urban details and the elegant architecture.
The most famous monument is the Basilica of Santa Maria del Colle, one of the most interesting temples in the region for the richness of its interior, to which is added the splendid Cappella del Sacramento or Cappellone by the great blacksmith Sante di Rocco. Several works of art are also preserved inside.
But the beauty does not end there. There are many other wonderful things to see in Pescocostanzo.
There are churches, palaces, shops, fountains and stone-paved streets to admire. Such as the Church of Santa Maria del Suffragio dating back to the 16th century, with a 17th century portal, a wooden coffered ceiling and a grandiose altar carved in walnut finished by Ferdinando Mosca in 1716. Or the Church of the Madonna delle Grazie, built before 1508 with a single nave and a wooden altar dating back to 1596. Then there is the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate, dating back to the 13th century, which stands on the first town centre called Peschio or Pesco.
The Church of Jesus and Mary, with the adjoining convent, built by the community of Pescocostanzo in 1611, to house a community of Franciscan friars in the village, is worth a visit. It is very rich in decoration and furnishings, including the high altar by Cosimo Fanzago, an architect and sculptor from Bergamo who worked in Pescocostanzo between 1624 and 1630.
If you haven't had enough yet, stop for a visit to the 18th-century Church of Santa Maria del Carmine, located at the end of a group of buildings with a two-coloured stone façade in full Baroque style, and to the Convent of Santa Scolastica, known as Palazzo Fanzago, named after the famous architect from Bergamo who designed it, one of the greatest examples of Baroque art in Abruzzo. It houses the Merletto a Tombolo Museum, whose first-floor houses stonework, carpets and tapestries while the second floor is entirely dedicated to the important exhibition of the renowned lace.
Now cover a few kilometres to reach the Sant'Antonio Wood dedicated to Jupiter, once considered sacred, in the nature reserve of the same name. Valuable evidence of the imposing forests that once covered the hills of the Altipiani Maggiori d'Abruzzo, it is an important wildlife corridor between the large, protected areas of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park and the Maiella National Park.
The guardian of one of the most spectacular beech forests in Abruzzo, with centuries-old specimens in bizarre shapes, it covers 17 hectares between the ridges of Mount Pizzalto and Mount Rotella. In autumn it becomes a show for the eyes and the spirit, with the marvellous foliage that colours the whole reserve in orange, red and yellow. But even in spring and summer it is a delight to spend relaxing moments in nature and to venture out on small excursions to discover the marvellous blooms of anemones, peonies, primroses, cyclamens, gentians and the rare orchid Epipactis purpurata.
The gastronomy of this area is closely linked to the agricultural and pastoral activities practised by entire generations. Among the first courses, in addition to handmade pasta such as gnocchi, tacconelli and tacconi, in winter polenta with fried pork or mutton ragout is the most popular. In spring, soups with mountain vegetables, such as orapi and wild chicory, or with pulses are preferred. Mostaccioli, flakes, Easter pinecones, macaroons, pizzelle and, during the carnival period, cicerchiata covered with honey from the Highlands, are some of the irresistible desserts.
Of outstanding beauty is the Festival of Ancient Crafts, held every year between August and September attracting a lot of tourists. It is a riot of colour with shows, music, folk dancing, traditional dances and excellent food and wine tasting. Pescocostanzo is part of the Club of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy.
What else to see:
- The Church and Hermitage of Sant’Antonio, dating from the 13th century
- The Hermitage of San Michele, first mentioned in 1183, but an older origin cannot be ruled out. The building has an angled front excavated at the foot of a rocky bank
- The Town Hall, built in the 18th century, evokes the building type of the Pescolan mansion, with an external access staircase and a balcony ('vignale') in front of the main portal
- Palazzo del Governatore, which has had various uses over the centuries
- Piazza del Municipio fountain, probably dating back to the 19th century
