Celano between History and the Apennine Landscape

Celano combines the impressive landscapes of the central Apennines with an unusually rich history. Between remnants of medieval fortifications, churches with important works of art, archaeological traces and the Le Gole di Celano gorge, a destination emerges that appeals to a wide range of interests. If you would like to combine culture and nature, you will find several clearly distinct starting points here for planning your trip.

Art, Churches and Testimonies of the Past

Castello Piccolomini houses the Collezione Torlonia, with 184 objects and 344 Roman bronze coins. Another focal point is Santa Maria Valleverde, with a library of around 100,000 old volumes. The Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista preserves clearly visible 15th-century frescoes by artists of the Sienese school; these include the “Madonna con Bambino rampante” by Andrea De Litio.

The religious buildings of Celano also take visitors through different historical periods. The Chiesa della Madonna delle Grazie is considered the only place spared during the siege by Emperor Frederick II and the subsequent destruction of old Celano in 1223. The Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo, also known as Chiesa di Sant’Angelo, houses a relic of Pope Celestine V. The settlement of Paludi di Celano is a prehistoric pile-dwelling village that was excavated most extensively in Abruzzo; it dates from the 17th to the 10th century BC.

Along Historic Paths through Celano

The Celano Historic Trail combines the history of the town with a route through the surrounding terrain. It is divided into three routes: a short, a medium and a long route, each with different levels of difficulty. The trail passes the remains of the fortification walls that protected the castle of old medieval Celano. This makes it possible to connect the history of the former town directly with the landscape.

For orientation along the way, the Celano Historic Trail is marked with red-and-white color markings and hand-carved wooden signs. The different route lengths and levels of difficulty help you adapt your choice of trail to your own interests and planned daily rhythm, without having to separate culture from physical activity.

Le Gole di Celano and the Landscape of Marsica

Le Gole di Celano form a gorge in the central Apennines between the municipalities of Celano, Aielli and Ovindoli. In some places, its rock walls are about 2 m apart and reach heights of up to 200 m at their highest point. The gorge offers opportunities for walking, trekking and outdoor excursions. The route through Le Gole di Celano leads to the section known as “Fonte degli Innamorati”.

When planning the timing of this natural experience, a specific access requirement must be taken into account: from 24 May to 31 October, access to Le Gole di Celano is limited to those with a free online reservation. This regulation is one of the practical points you should consider before an excursion if the gorge is to have a fixed place in your stay.

Mountain Panorama and Protected Nature

The Serra di Celano is a 1,930 m-high mountain behind Celano in Marsica. From there, the 360° panorama extends across the entire Fucino Plain and the surrounding mountain ranges of Majella, Velino, Gran Sasso and Monti Simbruini. At the same time, the municipality of Celano lies partly within the boundaries of the Sirente-Velino Regional Park. Thus, both the expansive view over the basin and the mountain landscape are defining features of the town.

A historic spring complements this landscape: fresh, clear water gushes from the Sorgente dei Santi Martiri in Celano. For visitors with a sporting interest, there is also a sport-climbing wall within the Sentiero Storico di Celano and the Sentiero Storico di Federico II. Alongside historic sightseeing, Celano therefore focuses on trails, gorge landscapes and selected opportunities for outdoor activities.

Further places in the same regional context: Tempera, Campotosto, Poggio Picenze, Gioia Dei Marsi, Lecce Nei Marsi, San Demetrio Ne' Vestini, Ortona dei Marsi, Sant'Elia

For the overarching travel overview: L-Aquila.