Slow Europe

Roman walls

Opus reticulatum

All over Italy there are ruins from previous civilizations and some of the most prominent, and well known, are those of the Romans. The Romans developed or improved upon such things as concrete and the arch which they used extensively in building their empire. A particular wall style that you will find all across the former Roman Empire is called the opus reticulatum. The Latin term Rete means "net" and the wall style resembles a net pattern. This wall style was popular for several centuries, particularly during the reign of Hadrian

This type of wall was made with a concrete center and the small stone pyramids were set into the soft concrete, pointed end in, and the square face piece would then face out. The combination of these stones would create a diamond, or net pattern, which was many times it was then covered with plaster. The stones were usually cut from tuff and are about 4 inches square on the facing and 8 to 10 inches long.

Holiday events in Italy

Christmas season...Italian style

With the approach of the Christmas season you will find many opportunities in Italy to shop for your family and friends at special holiday markets. Towns all across Le Marche and Abruzzo will have special two or three day Mercato di Natale where vendors will sell items specific to the season and to their particular area.

In addition to shopping many towns will have special entertainment through-out the holiday season with concerts and exhibits. In southern Le Marche there are always several American Gospel groups putting on concerts during the week leading up to Christmas, these are always very popular with the Italians.



Christmas lights will be hung over many of the piazze and streets. To keep the children occupied while you shop some communities will set up ice skating rinks in the central piazza or a musical carousel. Ascoli Piceno sets-up a large ice skating rink in Piazza Arringo and a musical carousel in Piazza del Popolo and has a special edition of the antique market on the third week-end of December.


As with all events in Italy there will be special foods available, many times specific for that particular area.

You can find more information on holiday events across Italy at:
Mercantini di Natale

Unwelcome surprises

Holiday Home Security

The summer holiday season is over and now many holiday homes have been closed up and will sit vacant for several weeks if not months before the owners or other guests will return. It is a sickening feeling to return to your home in the Italian countryside hoping to enjoy all this area has to offer for a few days only to discover someone has broken into your home. In some cases when the house has been untended for an extended period this can mean everything in the house is gone…including appliances, cabinets and even plumbing and light fixtures.

There have been recent articles in the local papers about the high number of burglaries this past summer, of Italian and foreign owned homes, as many as one hundred twenty occurring locally. An increase in the occupation of “rustico” properties by vagrants has also been noted.

Unfortunately there are many things that make holiday homes target for thieves in that many times it is obvious that no one is coming back for a long time. The house is closed up, dark at night and all of the outdoor furniture is stored. It is no secret to Italians that certain groups of foreigners favor having a pool at their holiday home, thus making these properties obvious as to ownership.

If a burglar wants in a house, yours or a local’s, given enough time and opportunity they will get in. The key is to make your property less of a target, making the property secure while also not making it look vacant is the key. A few simple steps can be taken to increase your homes security.

*First of all get to know your neighbors, talk to them, give them a special gift and let them know who you are so they will take an interest in you. They are your first line of defense against burglars. You would be surprised how much they already know about you even if you have never met them but the personal touch is important in Italy.

*Assuming your holiday home is in the countryside then it is probably under the jurisdiction of the Carabinieri, stop by the office overseeing your location. Let them know who you are, where your house is and if you are not always there. They do make patrols and may be obliged to go by your location from time to time.

*Get plug-in timers from the brico for a few interior lights and leave on some exterior lights. Leave out some old shoes or clothes, make it look like someone one will be back. Have someone go by periodically and check on the house when it is vacant, have them change lighting sequences, move outside furniture…make it obvious that someone has been there and may be back soon.

*Exterior shutters can provide a sense of security unless the hinges are fastened from the outside, which means they can be removed from the outside. Can the hinges be changed to mount on the inside or can you change the types of fasteners that are used?

*Investigate the options for burglar alarms, antifurto; there are motion sensors, door and window sensors, sirens and other options. However, with these systems you will need someone who can respond, either a paid service or a caretaker.

You want to be able to enjoy your holiday home but not have it feel like a fortress, there are trade-offs that you must consider. You do want to do what you can to avoid that feeling of violation, Piceno Home Services can help you investigate the available options.

Mountain parks

Parco Nazionale

Everyone knows about the charming hill towns, fine wines and food and the endless beaches of Marche and Abruzzo but there is another side to this area you should not miss. Just a few kilometers inland from the Adriatic Sea the topography begins to rise in assent to the peaks of the central Apennines. This mountain range runs the length of the Italian peninsula creating a spine of peaks that reach to the sky and provide an abundance of mountain wonders.

Southern Marche and Abruzzo are home to at least a portion of four of Italy’s National Parks: Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini, Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti di Laga, Parco Nazionale della Maiella and Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise.

These are great areas to visit and enjoy the spring flowers, cool mountain air in the summer, changing leaf colors in the fall and ski areas in the winter. There are also unique animals in many of these parks and trails for hikers to enjoy. Unfortunately there is not a system of central park headquarters where someone can find a lot of information about the parks such as trail maps and the best sights. This type of information is found in local tourist information offices in the nearby towns and in bookstores. A good source of trail guides and maps is the Touring Club Italiana, but this will be in Italian only.

You will also find there are very few picnicking facilities and marked camping areas in these parks. If you are used to the organized camping and picnic areas predominant in American parks and forests you will find these lacking in Italy.

This does not mean that you will not enjoy adventuring into these parks, they do offer a great deal for nature lovers, just come prepared.

Helpful links:

Touring Club Italiano:

Parco Nazionlae d’Abruzzo:

Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini:

Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti di Laga:

Parco Nazionale della Maiella:

Roccacasale

Roccacasale
Province L’Aquila (Inhabitants 760, Altitude 450m)

When you enter the Valle Peligna it is hard to not notice Roccacasale as it sits perched on the slopes of Monte Morrone and is dominated by the ruins of a medieval castle. This town hugs the bedrock as it provides splendid views of the valley and Sulmona below.

For more on Roccacasale...

There is easy access just off the Autostrada A25 and about 30 minutes from the Autostrada A14 at Pescara to the east and less than 2 hours from Rome to the west via the A25/A24 connection. Roccacasale is about 10 minutes from Sulmona. There is good train service from Sulmona to other parts of Italy.

Market day: Tuesday
Feast Days: 6th August: St. Antonio and St.Rocco’s day, June: Sagra dello "strigolo", a type of pasta.

Ferie in Italia

Ferragosto

August is the traditional month for Italians to go on vacation, leaving the cities and towns in droves for beach and mountain destinations. The vacation season peaks in the middle of the month on the 15th with Ferragosto, the major summer holiday for Italy. This day is based on an ancient Roman festival and the Catholic holiday Assunzione S. Vergine, or the ascent of Mary. Many businesses of all types will close around this date, some for as long as three weeks.

You will spot businesses with signs on their doors “Chuiso per ferie” ...

To learn more about the summer holidays in Italy: Summer Holiday, Italian Style!