It is one of the little-known areas of Abruzzo, but it deserves to be discovered for its authenticity, the Tirino Valley is a nice surprise…
The regions of Central Italy have a particular charm because they often manage to combine the many nuances of our country. They have the beauty of the sea, the majesty of the mountains, the sweetness of the rolling hills, and the freedom of the great valleys. The Lazio, the Marche, Abruzzo they are regions that have the beauty of wonderful villages and authentic traditions, they are those regions that live more than hidden territories to discover, valleys that are often not even known yet are worth exploring. In Abruzzo for example there is the Tirino Valley, which perhaps is truly unknown to most people and yet just talking about it makes you want to plan a trip.
The Tirino Valley in a few lines
There Tirino Valley it is traced by the blue of the river of the same name, by the green of the countryside and the richness of the woods, it is enlivened by the villages with their scents, traditions and flavours. Immersed in the green heart of Abruzzo, it is located within the two provinces of Pescara and L’Aquilaamong the wonderful scenery of Park National Gran Sasso and Monti della Lagto. The Tirino river makes it truly scenic, it is one of the most beautiful and cleanest rivers in Italy. The Valley, located at an altitude of approximately 350 m above sea level.
Five hidden gems: the villages of the Tirino Valley
They are small centers perfect for regenerating. Here they are…
Bussi sul Tirino: the village that takes its name from one of the most widespread plants in the area
It is named after the most widespread evergreen plant in the area, Bussi sul Tirino is a truly magical place and its history is strongly linked to the river, so much so that Tirino was added to the initial name Bussi only at a later time. It dates back to a early medieval period moment in which a monastic order first settled here and built the Benedictine church of Santa Maria di Cartignano, now in ruins. The Benedictine Church has a layout with three naves, separated by round arches with square pillars and a semicircular apse and the façade which ends with a bell tower. Beautiful to look at too Church of San Biagio of the 16th century and Church of Santa Maria di Ponte Marmoreo – inside there are frescoes from the 16th century. Unmissable stop Medici palace-castle dating back to the 16th century. Bussi was famous for its ceramic production. In 1700 this was the center of both artistic majolica and terracotta kitchenware, so much so that factories once located in via Stoviglieri arose in Bussi. In the early 1900s the ceramic industry, which was flourishing at the time, began to decline.
Capestrano: the village that offers a red carpet in spring
This beautiful jewel of Tirino Valley in recent years it has become an instagrammable destination because before arriving in the town a red carpet of poppies in spring makes it truly suggestive. Capestrano, is located, in fact, on a hill overlooking the Tirino river valley and in 1300 it became the homeland of Antonio Piccolomini who built a wonderful castle here which is its symbol. The castle, made larger in 1400 on a pre-existing structure, has a triangular plan and a facade enclosed between two cylindrical towers and represents one of the most important military defensive architectures in Abruzzo.
Navelli: the village of a Thousand Windows
It’s wonderful, it’s on a hill and it looks like a pyramid of houses which can be reached by walking along some charming streets. Stone is what characterizes its buildings and its origins in pre-Roman times. Its development took place in the Middle Ages and traces of this can be seen in the beautiful Castle, a refuge for the populations during enemy attacks. Navelli it is the village of narrow streets, arches and small buildings, it is known as the village of a Thousand Windows precisely because of the many hidden panoramic points that are truly wow!
Ofena: the bakery of Abruzzo
It is truly a place that deserves to be discovered, it is the village of tradition and perfumes, history and folklore, Ofena is a magical village in the Tirino Valley. It is located in the province of L’Aquila and has medieval origins and is known for being the “Abruzzo oven” for its microclimate with Mediterranean temperatures. It is precisely its climate that makes it one of the most important places for the production of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. Although small, it has a lot to offer with its historic buildings, its artistic beauties and its cultural value. To be seen the church of S. Pietro in Cryptis, The Capuchin convent. Worth a stop Cataldi-Madonna noble palace with its important stone portal. Nature lovers shouldn’t miss it Cave of the Marmitte delle natural cylindrical cavities created in the rock by eddies of torrential water a few million years ago, when the mountain had not yet risen to its current 750 metres.
Villa Santa Lucia degli Abruzzi: the entrance door to the Gran Sasso Monti della Laga National Park
It is from here that the south is accessed Gran Sasso Monti della Laga National Park towards the South, Villa Santa Lucia degli Abruzzi is the part that closes the Tirino valley to the north. It is a small mountain village 900 meters above sea level and its climate makes it a wonderful destination for a cool trip into nature.
