Overview
Did you know that Pietracamela (in the Province of Teramo) was originally called Petra? Most likely because the first dwellings were built on huge boulders brought downstream by the melting of the Campo Pericoli glaciers. Arriving in this picturesque village you will have the feeling of being suspended on the rock at more than 1,000 metres above sea level.
The beautiful mountain center is nestled in the nature of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park on the slopes of Corno Piccolo, the second highest peak in the Gran Sasso d'Italia massif. It presents itself in all its splendor as soon as you pass the Intermesoli junction, which is encountered on the way up from the bridge over the Rio Arno.
From here you can enjoy a panorama of incomparable beauty that ranges from the Laga Mountains, with their forests rich in water flowing copiously down the valley, to the majestic peaks of the Gran Sasso d'Italia. We start with the Corno Grande, the roof of the Apennines with its sharp peaks and vertical walls, glaciers and all the extraordinary wonders of the Park.
Strolling through the small "alleys" that run through the town unraveling among the characteristic stone houses, you will come across delightful little Romanesque-style churches full of artistic and religious treasures.
These include the Church of San Leucio, built in 1780 near the Tower House that was formerly used as a watchtower; the Church of San Rocco, built in 1530 during the plague epidemic and dedicated to the patron saint of plague victims; and the Church of San Giovanni (1432), surrounded by houses whose portals bear dates from 1471 to 1616.
Testimony to the ancient architectural gifts and history of this hamlet nestled in nature is Casa Signoretti, an ancient dwelling that bears two mullioned windows with twisted columns, surmounted by an architrave on which, placed in relief, is the probable symbol of the wool carders.
From Pietracamela there are beautiful trails leading to the headwaters of the Rio Arno, to the Madonnina del Gran Sasso, a bronze statue also called the "Bianca Castellana" kept in a small church on the Arapietra ridge at 2050 metres, to the Rifugio Franchetti located in the Vallone delle Cornacchie on a rocky spur at 2433 meters.
From the charming hamlet, you can easily reach the ski resort of Prati di Tivo. A path through the woods takes you in 45 minutes to the hamlet of Intermesoli, which features a few houses dating back to the 16th century and a church of particular interest for its stone portal and Baroque wooden altar.
Other trails take you to Tossicia, to Cerqueto, to Assergi, skirting rivers, running through forests, stony valleys, grassy plains, mule tracks, and shepherds' paths.
If you are a gourmand, characteristic of Pietracamela's culinary tradition are ravioli, "U cavciaun", or "unleavened dough" baked and sprinkled with sugar, "U mstrariegl", or "mostarello", a man-shaped dessert, also called "cornutello", because of the horns that characterize it.
