THE EAGLE. A singular journey, on the back of a donkey, was that of July 1294 for the old Maiella hermit Pietro Angelerio who from the Morrone hermitage reached L’Aquila to be crowned Pope with the name of Celestine V. Days of extraordinary changes for the poor Peter, who would have left an indelible mark on the Church. We all know the story: four months of pontificate, his renunciation and flight towards the East, his capture in Vieste and his death as a prisoner in the Fumone fortress. Precisely in the footsteps of this extraordinary character, the Cammino Grande of Celestine was conceived starting from 2018.
THE PROJECT The attention of the Special Office for Crater Reconstruction, together with the Sirente Velino Park, in synergy with the Maiella Park, the CAI and the University: 90 kilometers touching 19 municipalities in the internal areas of Abruzzo. A route that is part of a larger network of 400 kilometers of paths in the internal areas of the province of L’Aquila (the Cammino tra i Vestini, the Cammino della Baronia, the Cammino dei Franciscani are also part of it). The initiative, promoted by the Special Office for Crater Reconstruction, has the objective of enhancing the territory, with its natural beauty and its history, facilitating access and understanding also through the innovative “Smart” technology. Beacon”, thanks to which textual, audio and video material will arrive directly on the walker’s smartphone, through a dedicated digital path. The project was financed with one million euros through an ordinance of the extraordinary commissioner of post-earthquake reconstruction. The main interventions they concern the arrangement of existing paths and vegetation and the creation of signage, noticeboards and rest areas, pedestrian crossings in correspondence with provincial roads, and charging stations for e-bikes.
FROM L’AQUILA TO FONTECCHIO The first stage is 26 kilometers long. The Walk begins in front of the Basilica of Collemaggio. Along the asphalt road you reach the bottom of the valley and head towards Monticchio and continue through the fields and passing near the Fossa necropolis. The Camino also passes the Roman Bridge of Campana located on the Aterno river and at the foot of the town of the same name. The bridge dates back to the 1st century AD and was built together with 11 others in the valley by Emperor Claudius. Going slightly uphill along a narrow dirt road and finally on a path you reach Fontecchio, an artistic and cultural crossroads in recent years.
FROM FONTECCHIO TO CASTELVECCHIO From here you return to the river valley. With the asphalted horse trail you reach the Beffi station. Here begins the path that reaches the base of the hill on which Beffi, a hamlet of Acciano, stands. Once in Beffi the view of the wooded slopes of the Aterno Valley is extraordinary as is the structure of the fortified village with its 12th century pentagonal tower. The path that leads back to the river and the Acciano station begins near the tower. After a short stretch on asphalt near the church of the Madonna della Sanità, a nice path runs alongside the railway up to Molina Aterno. Therefore Castelvecchio Subequo.
FROM CASTELVECCHIO TO RAIANO The third stage is shorter, only 10.2 kilometers through the Aterno Valley, to descend into the Peligna Valley in view of the Morrone and Maiella. From Castelvecchio you reach Castel di Ieri. Once over the pass, an extraordinary view opens up over the Peligna valley.
TOWARDS THE PELIGNA VALLEY There are numerous places of interest, starting from Corfinio, along a comfortable straight road shortly reaching the Abbey of San Pelino which, built in 1075, is among the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Abruzzo. Continue in the direction of Morrone to reach the imposing Badia Morronese in the district of the same name. This way you reach Sulmona, and therefore Pacentro.
THE PRESENTATION Illustrating the characteristics of the Cammino Grande of Celestino were the Usrc director Raffaello Fico, Francesco D’Amore, president of the Sirente Velino regional park, Ersilia Lancia, tourism councilor of L’Aquila, Lucio Zazzara, president of the Maiella Park, Ugo Marinucci (CAI) , Alessandro Marucci, professor at UnivAq
