Tagliacozzo

The essence of this village rich in history is in its ancient heart: passing the Roman arch and continuing inland, you will find houses, palaces, churches alleys and streets that represent a mix of traditions and typical elements. Here, hard to believe, Corradino di Svevia was defeated by Charles of Anjou, an episode also recalled by Dante in the XXVIII canto of the Inferno.
Evidence of its history and antiquity, not to be missed, is:

• The Sanctuary of the Madonna dell’Oriente: the image of the Madonna and Child was miraculously saved from the destructive fury of the Byzantine emperor Leo III Isauricus. The Oriental Museum is attached to it, rich in Egyptian, Oriental and Ethiopian antiquities and an interesting numismatic and philatelic collection, the work of two Franciscans (Father Gabriele Giamberardini and Father Tommaso Casale).
• The Church and Convent of St. Francis: with its fine façade, since the 16th century it has housed the tomb of Blessed Tommaso da Celano, the first biographer of Francis of Assisi.
• The Church and Monastery of Saints Cosma and Damiano: it was built between the 8th and 10th centuries, it is the oldest and richest complex. The church and monastery, assigned since Ottonian times to the Benedictines of Montecassino, were the cause of long disputes between the papacy and the Marsi bishop. Of particular note are the façade with its portal and rose window, the bell tower, the central altar and some paintings.
• The Talia Theatre: a former Benedictine convent, it was used as a performance venue in 1686. A first major restoration was carried out between 1887 and 1888 when it was named after the muse Talia. It has a sober and elegant façade and three tiers of boxes inside, with over 200 seats. It hosts drama and music seasons and some performances of the International Midsummer Festival.
• The Ducal Palace: located in the town centre, it is the pearl of Tagliacozzo's artistic heritage. It dates back to the 14th century, but the second construction phase dates back to the second half of the following century, under the condottiere Count Roberto Orsini. The palace has two architecturally very different floors: the first has a late Gothic style, the second a Renaissance style.
• Piazza Obelisco: The square is surrounded by elegant palaces, with graceful double lancet windows, a loggia with round arches and Renaissance windows. In the past it was surrounded by porticoes, which were closed in 1810 by order of Joachim Murat, King of Naples, and at its centre was the pilozzo, a stone seat for insolvent debtors exposed to the public pillory, replaced around 1825 by the fountain with obelisk.

There are so many delicacies from this land with an ancient heart. Succulent are the gnocchetti with chickpeas, polenta with sausages and trimmings served on wooden plates (the scifellette), lamb cacio e uova (cheese and eggs), sausages, salami, ham, bacon, guanciale (bacon cheek), lonza (loin of pork), coppa (pork neck), and fegatelli (livers).

Among the traditional desserts, closely linked to the festivities, you can taste: at Christmas, pizza with walnuts and stuffed nivole, at Carnival, fritters and zeppole, chestnuts with honey and nocchietelle, at Easter, pizza and  the biscuits made by the cloistered nuns of the Benedictine monastery for the Feast of the Holy Face on the Sunday in Albis. And that's not all: almond macaroons, chocolate mostaccioli, aniseed biscuits, donuts with wine or sugar icing, jam-filled barachiglie.