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.

Roccacasale was originally known as Casali and the castle that overlooks the town was built in the early 11th Century by the rulers of Spoleto who controlled this region. The town was a typical fortified medieval village with narrow streets and gates and played an important part in the history of this area until the late 1700’s. The streets still retain their medieval characteristics as they wind up to the base of the castle ruins. In the 16th-century church of St. Michele Arcangelo are preserved some stone statues of the Saint and the relics of friar Mariano of Roccacasale, who was beatified by Pope John Paul in 1999.

Much of the town near the castle ruins is in need of renovation, large portions of the population emigrated from Italy after World War II and there are many properties available to purchase. Due to the good access and attractive property pricing there has been a recent influx of foreign buyers in this town. In the lower portion of the town you will find basic services but will need to travel to nearby Sulmona for a wider selection.

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.


Comune resource

Beach season

Coastal towns

Summer has arrived in Italy and Italians and foreigners alike have begun the annual migration to the seaside. The Adriatic coast in Marche and Abruzzo is varied from wide sandy beaches to narrow rocky beaches tucked below cliffs. This area also boasts some of the most popular beaches for Italians with the Bandiere Blu designation. Bandiere Blu is given to those beaches that meet certain requirements for not only the beach and water quality but also the services that are provided by local vendors.

In this area of Italy the beach vendors are called chalets and will vary in services from simple umbrellas and chairs to this plus full service restaurants. Being on the coast the food specialty will of course be seafood. You can rent lounge chairs, umbrellas and changing rooms which will cost you from 80€ to 160€ per week for the summer months. Be aware that beachside services can become non-existent during the off-season.

There are public beaches spaced between the chalets but these are usually an unkept location and on a first come, first serve basis. With the summer sun bearing down on you after a few hours the services provided by the chalets can be well worth the price.

Many people have a view of the seaside as a beautiful place with wide sandy beaches leading to rolling hills covered with vineyards. The geography and history of this portion of the Adriatic coast has dictated that this view is interrupted by railway lines and the autostrada. In many seaside towns you will cross under the rail lines to get to the beach. During weekends and the Italian August vacation the more popular beaches can be very crowded. Many of the beach towns are post war developments which lack much of the charm people envision of Italy.

There are however, many locations I easy driving distance to the sea where you can enjoy the best of all that this part of Italy has to offer.

Pacentro, Abruzzo

Pacentro (690 meters, 1405 inhabitants)
Chieti Provincia

Pacentro is situated on the boundary of the Parco Nazionale Della Maiella at the base of a mountainside and is about 280 meters above the city of Sulmona and the Gizio River valley. The town runs east to west along a ridge with sweeping views of the mountains and valley below. The well preserved medieval section of town is located closer to the mountain and the streets are very narrow but walking through them you will be rewarded with quaint homes, shops and eventually you will arrive below the towering fortress ruins.

You will find a full array of stores to meet day to day needs including several bars, restaurants, groceries, a post office, bakery, tabaccheria, newspaper stand, and other assorted shops. Major/larger stores are located in nearby Sulmona. The people you encounter are friendly and welcoming.

There is easily access by paved road from Autostrada A25 and about 50 minutes from the Autostrada A14 at Pescara to the east and about 2 hours from Rome to the west via the A25/A24 connection. Pacentro is about 15 minutes from Sulmona. There is train service from Sulmona to other parts of Italy.

L'Aquila

L’Aquila, Abruzzo (714 m, 69,000 Inhabitants)

Capital of Abruzzo Region and L’Aquila Provence

It is fitting that the name L’Aquila means “Eagle” as this city is situated in a place where eagles would love to soar, in a high plain amongst the central mountains of Italy. The origins of this city are relatively recent, by Italian standards, having been founded in the 1200’s during the reign of Frederic II.

There is a Spanish cultural stamp on this city as this was a northern stronghold of the powers from Naples. The strongest evidence is the imposing Forte Spagnolo of 1530’s that occupies the highest point in the city. The National Museum of Abruzzo is also housed inside the forte.

The Duomo, San Massimo, is the main feature of the large Piazza del Duomo in the center of town with the current façade from the 19th century. As with many structures in L’Aquila the Duomo was severely damaged in a major earthquake in 1703.

The church of San Bernardino di Siena shows the work of Cola dell'Amatrice and there is a wide staircase in front with views of the mountains to the south.

The church of S. Maria di Colle Maggio is located just outside the town walls and has a very fine Romanesque design in red and white marble, with three finely decorated portals and a rose-window above each. There is a large park area in front of the church where locals gather for picnics and to allow the children to run.

At the lower end of town on the southwestern city walls is the Fontana delle novantanove cannelle, a fountain with ninety-nine jets distributed along three walls, constructed in 1272. This unique structure is made of white and red marble, similar to S. Maria di Colle Maggio.

There is excellent access to L’Aquila via the Autostrada A24/A25 to Rome and Pescara and their airports. The area between the centro storico and the autostrada has been built up with many modern conveniences. Being a capital city there is an abundance of services available and the centro storico is busy each day with merchants, shoppers and business people. There are no shortage of local restaurants, bars and even pubs.

Property services in the Piceno area

Italy Property Preview offers unique services for those who are searching for a property to purchase in Marche or Abruzzo. Since we are not an agent we will give you an unbiased and detailed report with photographs of the property that you are interested in.

For those who have purchased a property and are looking for someone to oversee their restoration work or to check on their home during periods when it is unoccupied then we also offer these services through Piceno Home Services. We will be your eyes and ears in your absence and will provide detailed reports and photographs to show you the status of your restoration. We can also offer periodic checks of your home and after major storms to insure it is secure.

If you will be in southern Marche to look for a house or just to enjoy all the region has to offer we also work closely with Vinci Properties and the management of their vacation rentals.

For pre-purchase services: Italy Property Preview

For post-purchase services: Piceno Home Services

For vacation home rentals: Vinci Properties

Penne, Abruzzo

Citta’ di Penne

Perched on a hill at 438 meters in northern Abruzzo in the Pescara province is the medieval town of Penne. This charming town made of brick covers two hills with the Cattedrale dominating the highest point. Early morning and late afternoon sun on the bricks gives the town a subtle orange glow.

The roads leading to Penne are uphill and have a few curves but the views along the way are spectacular on a clear day. Pescara is about 30 kilometers away with access to the airport and the autostrada A14 which runs north-south along the coast and the autostrada A25 that heads west towards Rome. There is a free comune parking structure just outside of Porta San Francesco. To the west of town are the Riserva Naturale Regional and Lago di Penne.

Penne has all of the services you need with plenty of bars, groceries, clothing stores and food stores. The weekly mercato fills the centro storico between Piazza Luca da Penne and Largo San Nicola. There are two museums in town; the Museo Civico Diocesano and Museo Archeologico near the Cattedrale and also the Museo Naturalistico near Lago di Penne.

Penne is in the early stages of being reborn, there are some projects underway but you will also find many structures in need of renovation. This provides good opportunities for home buyers to enter this market before it is fully renovated.

My Abruzzo Home website

My Abruzzo Home

For those searching for property in the Abruzzo region there is a website that provides both practical home buying information as well as information on the region. This site is filled with links to other sites where detail is provided and a list of possible realtor for those searching for a property.

My Abruzzo Home has been operational for a couple months and grew out of Rebecca Coombes’ experience with restoring her own rustico. This is a good location for getting some firsthand insight into the purchase and restoration process of a property in Abruzzo.

You will also find Italy Property Preview listed as we provide comprehensive inspections of properties for those looking to purchase in the Abruzzo or Marche regions.

Atri, Abruzzo

Atri

Atri is a charming hill town in Abruzzo, positioned a little northwest of Pescara. It is a pleasant town with a compact centro storico that is easily walked. From the edges of town you can take in panoramic views of the Adriatic to the east, while to the west loom the towering peaks of the Gran Sasso.

The streets are clean and well maintained and are easy to wander, offering interesting doors and alleys. It is worth a visit to the Chiesa di San Nicola with its wood ceiling. Beautiful stain glass windows are found in the Chiesa di San Francesco, as well as the Chiesa di San Liberatore with a blazing scene of the crucifixion glowing in full sunlight. The Basilica is closed for renovations, but you can garner a quick peak into the town’s stately teatro on Piazza Duomo, with an elegant coffee bar in the foyer. There are plenty of shops, cafes and alimentari in the centro to fulfill most of your daily needs.

When you leave Atri be sure to drive through some of the calanchi, or eroded hills, to the west and into the Fiume Vomano valley. There is easy access to the A14 along the coast and the airport at Pescara is less than thirty minutes away by car.

Lanciano

‘Citta del Miracolo’

A bustling hilltop town located in Abruzzo, Lanciano retains its small-town flavor while offering a lot of activity and sights. Easily accessible it is south of Pescara and Chieti just a short distance from the Adriatic Sea, not far from the A14 autostrada, and with train service along the coast is available as well. The centro storico is separated into three parts- Lancianovecchia, La Sacca and Il Borgo, which radiate from the centrally-located Piazza Plebiscito. Each of these areas is their own, distinct little neighborhood and each has some shops and eateries, while the main shopping area is in the newer section along Corso Trento e Trieste.

The Santuario San Francesco just off the Piazza Plebiscito is a major pilgrim destination as it holds what is reputed to be the first Il Miracolo Eucaristico in Italy, a communion wafer and wine that reportedly turned to flesh and blood. The church is built over several earlier structures and you can go down into the ancient levels where you make your way through a maze of tunnels and chambers, eventually exiting out several meters away from the church.

There are several interesting churches and Chiesa Santa Maria Maggiore has some beautiful architectural features with its carved portals and rose windows. Walking through the narrow streets you come upon other churches without any notice; be sure to check if the doors are open.

There are remnants of the city fortifications, with portions of the defensive walls and towers still visible in several areas of town. You can also see some examples of typical and charming medieval structures in each quarter including an example of a former and characteristic store-front in Piazza dei Frentani.

The newer city encroaches on the centro storico but the nearby countryside opens to wide vistas of rolling hills with the Adriatic Sea in the background and mountain ranges with snow covered peaks to the west.

Fortezze e Castelli

In the area along the border of Abruzzo and Le Marche there are numerous well-preserved medieval fortezze, which sit high on ridges above the surrounding country. One is at Acquaviva Picena offering beautiful vistas of the Adriatic coast. The star shaped fortezza is perched above town, complete with ramparts and towers that you can access for impressive views of the town it once protected. The centro storico is also surrounded by le mure, or walls.

Another fortezza is found in Civitella del Tronto, just south over the Abruzzo border with Marche. Dating from the late 1500’s, it marked the northern boundary of the Kingdom of Naples, and later of the Papal States. It is best known as one of the last hold-outs against the Italian unification forces in 1861. This impressive structure spreads across 1500 feet along a ridge jutting out over the surrounding valleys.

Along the ancient Via Salaria west of Ascoli Piceno you will pass two castelli which also had defensive uses. The first is Castello di Luco, which is mostly hidden from view along the highway but is located just outside of Pagese. This circular castle rests on a mass of rock and, though not normally open for visitors, is worth a visit to view this unique structure and its adjoining borgo. A restaurant in the castle and lodgings in the borgo are offered seasonally.

Further down Via Salaria just before leaving Marche you can not miss Arquata del Tronto which sits above the Fiume Tronto and the prominent Rocca di Arquata looming over the centro storico. This fortezza is open with limited hours but a visit at any time is worthwhile for the views of the nearby Monti Sibillini to the north and Gran Sasso to the south.

Whether you are looking for your own fortezza, castello, rustico or an apartamento in a centro storico, Italy Property Preview can provide the information you need to make an informed decision in your real estate purchase with our comprehensive inspections.

Sulmona

Sulmona

Sulmona is located in the L’Aquila Province just off the A24 motorway, the autostrada providing easy access to both Roma and the Adriatic coast near Pescara. Sulmona itself rests in the Peligna Valley giving it a level lay-out while offering great views of the surrounding mountains from the piazzas of this medieval town.

The centro storico is a lively and livable area with a long history despite having survived several severe earthquakes. There are numerous shops along the main streets, many selling confetti, the sugar coated candy for which Sulmona is famous. You can also visit some of their factories just outside of town and fully indulge your sweet tooth.

The main piazza, Piazza Garibaldi, is the scene of a jousting competition each year, a reminder of the city’s medieval roots. Demarking the west side of this piazza is an operational aqueduct from the 13th Century, feeding the Fontana del Vecchio at the end, where you can have a cool drink of fresh water.

Outside of the centro storico there is a centro commerciale, or shopping center, and the city has both train and bus service to other destinations in Italy. There are several hotels in and near the medieval center, as well as plentiful fine restaurants. Sulmona is a fantastic base for travel into the nearby Parco Nazionale della Maiella and to explore other nearby small mountain villages.

If you are looking at potential properties in the Sulmona area, Italy Property Preview can be of assistance to you by providing comprehensive inspections.

Italy Property Preview

Italy Property Preview

Doing a quick web search will bring up a lot of companies that will sell you property in Italy, finance a purchase, help you to rebuild a rustico or even act as your broker in the purchase. All of these companies have a vested interest in the sale of properties; no sale and they will not be making any money. But what I haven’t found are any companies that will provide an unbiased view of a property, especially from the view of a non-Italian. Independent inspections that are a must in any real estate transaction in the US are not the norm here.

I spent sixteen years working in the insurance claims business in the US before quitting my job so we could pursue our dream of living in Italy. My focus was on the assessment of damage to homes, everything from a water leak to total burn-downs as a result of uncontrolled forest fires. Throughout my sixteen-year career I gained a wealth of knowledge in what to look for, in both obvious as well as hidden problems with structures, and found myself many times pointing out things to property owners that they had never seen before, despite their living in that house daily. I always thought this experience would be helpful outside of the insurance business.

While we were in the United States dreaming of our move to Italy we would browse the various web-sites selling property in Italy and always wondered just what the properties really looked like. Was it next to a factory; would you have to drive everyday just to get a coffee and pastry? Was the low price offered a reflection of something obviously wrong with the property that was not being disclosed by the agency? The small photos and brief descriptions the agents provide left a lot of questions unanswered.

Before leaving the US we discussed potential business ideas with friends and family and one idea that many felt was a good fit for my skills was a company that would provide inspection of properties before the sale to potential buyers of property here in Italy. This would be a critical-eye view of the important issues regarding the structures – is it earthquake-damaged, sited above a train tunnel, suffering a sagging roof – but also regarding the amenities for the area, such as access to the property, proximity to services, lay of the landscape, etc. From this comes Italy Property Preview, officially launched this week.

www.italypropertypreview.com

This web-site is the product of Pauline Kenny who also assisted with input on the content and format of the site. Italy Property Preview is an internet-based enterprise focused on providing an unbiased critical-eye view of a property for a potential buyer before a large commitment of time, travel and money is expended. A detailed inspection report complete with photos will be provided to the potential buyer to assist them in making informed decisions. This approach will help the buyer to have a look at the property beyond the rose colored view associated with any purchase, especially property in “bella Italia”.

Check out the website; spread the word!