Rocca Calascio (AQ)

2018

Rocca Calascio is a fortress located in Abruzzo, in the province of L'Aquila, in the territory of the municipality of Calascio, at an altitude of 1450 meters above sea level, just above the town. It is included in the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park. It is known for the presence of the castle, one of the highest in Italy, and the ancient medieval village below, still inhabited by some inhabitants. The Rocca is considered one of the symbols of Abruzzo. The foundation of the fortress is probably due to the will of King Ruggero d'Altavilla after the Norman conquest of 1140 with a prevalent sighting function, even if the first historical document attesting its presence is dated 1239. It was part of Calascio, Castelvecchio Calvisio, Carapelle Calvisio and Santo Stefano di Sessanio of the famous Barony of Carapelle, whose historical events he followed until 1806, the year of the abolition of feudality. Over the centuries, the Pagliara, Plessis, Colonna, Celano, Caldora, Accrocciamuro, Todeschini Piccolomini, Del Pezzo, Cattaneo, Medici and Bourbon families followed one another in the domain. In particular, in 1463 it was granted by King Ferdinand to Antonio Todeschini of the Piccolomini family who modified the fortification by equipping it with a pebble wall and four cylindrical towers for military use, with a Ghibelline battlements. In 1703 it was devastated by a violent earthquake following which the highest area of the village was abandoned and a large part of the population moved to the nearby town of Calascio. In the twentieth century, even the last remaining families left the village and the fortress remained uninhabited. At the end of the century, however, also in the wake of the success deriving from the setting of some films (above all Lady Hawke of 1985 and The Name of the Rose of 1986), some houses were recovered and others were converted to accommodation facilities; Furthermore, the castle has undergone an important restoration and consolidation operation and is now one of the main tourist attractions in the area, thanks to the work of two spouses and their family who have opened a widespread hotel just below the castle.

You may also like

Archaeological site of Alba Fucens

Alba Fucens is a site that arose in the 4th century BC in an elevated and well-fortified position, on approximately 34 hectares at 966 m above sea level, on the slopes of Mount Velino in Abruzzo.

Lama dei Peligni. Church of S. Nicholas and Clemente

Parish Church of the Child Jesus or of Saints Nicholas and Clemente. The parish church, originally dedicated to SS. Nicola and Clemente, was dedicated in 2015 to the Child Jesus, with a Decree of the archbishop mons. Bruno Strong. It is located in Piazza Umberto I, in front of the town hall. The original building dates back to the 16th century. An epigraph on the bell tower attests that the church was built in 1589 in the eighteenth century two windows were added on the facade for more light. The portico, located on the right side, dates back to the 20th century. The facade is rectangular. A tympanum dominates the portal, while a rose window is decorated with some little heads of angels. The portico has six bays with a round arch. The bell tower has three levels marked on the outside by a stringcourse frame. The interior has three naves, one central and two lateral. In the side aisles there are minor altars, with representations of saints. In the right aisle appear, in order, a niche with St. Sebastian, a first modern altar with an effigy of the Divine Mercy (recently set up), which houses the baptismal font, the latter covered by a late Gothic wooden chest dating back to the nineteenth century. Subsequently there is an altar with Our Lady of Sorrows and the dead Christ, then an altar with St. Anthony of Padua and finally a last one with the representation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In the left aisle there is, in order, a first altar with the Madonna del Rosario, then an altar with a painting of the Madonna delle Grazie. Subsequently an altar with S. Cesidio, followed by that in honor of S. Giuseppe. Finally there is a niche with S. Gabriele dell'Addolorata. At the back of the church, on the entrance door, there is a mezzanine supported by four columns, which houses a pipe organ built in the 17th century. At the end to the left of the central nave there is a wooden pulpit, with representations of the life of Jesus. The main altar is located at the end of the central nave, located in the center of the presbytery and is illuminated by the light from the dome. Behind the altar is the urn of the Holy Child, with the tabernacle below.

Manoppello. The Holy Face

The Holy Face is a depiction of the face of Jesus preserved in Manoppello, in the Basilica of the Holy Face.

Santa Maria di Basciano. Church of S. M. in Porto Lungo

The Church of S. Maria a Porto Lungo is of notable artistic interest, dating back to the 14th century and, built on an ancient pagan temple, is in Romanesque style.

Alfedena. The Montagna Spaccata lake

The Montagna Spaccata lake is a small artificial lake on the southern borders of Abruzzo. It is located entirely in the province of L'Aquila, in the municipality of Alfedena.

Isola del G. Sasso d’I. San G. dell'Addolorata

The sanctuary of S. Gabriele dell'Addolorata is a sanctuary of the Catholic Church located at the foot of the Gran Sasso d'Italia, in the municipality of Isola del Gran Sasso d'Italia.

P.N.A.L.M. - Part III

The National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise is a national park including for the most part (about 3/4) in the province of L'Aquila in Abruzzo and for the remainder in that of Frosinone in Lazio and in that of Isernia in Molise. It was inaugurated on 9 September 1922 in Pescasseroli, the current headquarters and central management of the park, while the body of the same name had already been established on 25 November 1921 with a provisional directorate. Its establishment took place officially with the Royal decree-law of 11 January 1923.

Scanno. The Church of San Rocco

The Church of San Rocco, known as the Madonna del Carmine is located in Scanno. It is also called the Madonna del Carmine, because since 1784 it has been the seat of a confraternity of the same name

Abruzzo, Italy. Spectacular sunrise.

Palena, Church of San Falco and Sant'Antonino

Parish church of the town, it was built in the 12th century, after the earthquake of 1706, it was built again, however maintaining the 14th century bell tower

↑Back to Top