Overview
Immersed in the lush forests of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, the village of Valle Castellana is rich in scenic wonders and unspoilt places, in which it will be easy to come across a variety of environmental peculiarities: centuries-old chestnut groves, floral meadows, pure rivers and streams, all surrounded by stone villages and abandoned old mills.
This area is populated by chamois, roe deer, peregrine falcons, owls, golden eagles and the rare Italian geotriton. Valle Castellana offers you a wide range of tourist opportunities at any time of the year: nature excursions, horseback riding or walking among ancient water mills, centuries-old oak trees, natural caves and hermitages. And what about Lake Talvacchia? A one-of-a-kind destination, a dream place for sport fishing lovers.
A place that is truly extraordinary. But let see some particularities more closely. Undoubtedly, the remains of Castel Manfrino have a story to tell. Legends say that under the castle there are still the treasures of King Manfred of Swabia, who had the tower built in 1263 for the defense of the village, which you can still see today. Aren't you curious to pick up some clues to the legendary treasure?
In such an enchanting village, two artistic-religious treasures could not be missing, the Church of San Vito and the Church of Santa Rufina, architectural, spiritual and historical symbols.
Built as a monastery in the 12th century, the Church of San Vito has preserved over the centuries its rectangular plan physiognomy characterized by a single nave with a single apse, with a bell tower placed in the centre of the gabled façade, which with a pointed arch acts as entrance to the church. Furthermore, in the 1930s, a small stone building was built, linked to the church, for pilgrims' refreshment.
The Church of Santa Rufina, also from the 12th century, has a rectangular plant with a single nave, with the presence of a porthole in the centre of the gabled façade and a pointed arch portal. The side bell tower is a tower with typical Romanesque mullioned windows.
The ideal period to visit Valle Castellana is undoubtedly autumn, when the traditional festivals dedicated to chestnuts take place, that of Valle Castellana and that of Leofara. On this occasion you can taste other local specialties such as tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms, polenta, callara sheep, pecorino cheese and delicious, sweet chestnut ravioli.