Rocca Pia: Local History, Mountain Landscapes and Local Traditions

Rocca Pia is a destination associated with winter sports due to its proximity to the Monte Pratello Aremogna ski facilities. Local history, mountain landscapes and local traditions offer you different starting points for planning your trip.

History in the Townscape

The first historical mention of an inhabited settlement in the Rocca Pia area is found in a document dating from 876. In it, Guido, Duke of Spoleto, granted the church of S. Marcello in Florina to the monks of S. Vincenzo a' Volturno.

Rocca Pia preserves the town layout typical of medieval villages, which developed along a transport route. In the center, historic buildings retain well-preserved arcades and arched passageways, as well as small covered external stairways known as “vignale”. The fortified part of Rocca Pia continues to bear the name “Castelluccio”.

The Church of Madonna del Casale is also known as Santa Maria del Carmine and is located in the hamlet of Colleguidone in the municipality of Rocca Pia (AQ). Graffiti left by travelers can still be read on its walls; the oldest legible inscription dates from 1675. For centuries, the church served as a safe shelter for shepherds, soldiers and travelers crossing the Cinque Miglia plateau.

Mountain Landscapes and Natural Environment

The mountain landscapes of Rocca Pia include steep rock faces, ridges, gorges, erosion gullies, scree slopes and karst formations. Forests cover a large part of the municipal territory; beech is the most common tree, accompanied by oaks, pines and firs. The mountain landscape therefore includes both wooded areas and the rocky and karst formations of the municipal territory.

Rocca Pia is one of the municipalities within the Maiella UNESCO Global Geopark. Animal species in the municipal territory include wolves and bears.

Winter Sports and Guided Excursions

The Piano delle Cinquemiglia is used in Rocca Pia for winter sports and serves as a starting point for excursions to the surrounding ridges. The information center is the starting point for guided excursions; the Piano delle Cinquemiglia is additionally used for winter sports.

The information center is the starting point for numerous guided excursions to explore the Parco Nazionale della Maiella via Monte Rotella and the Monte Genzana Alto Gizio Regional Nature Reserve. It is located in the building next to the imposing Palazzo De Meis; the building formerly housed the stables of a noble family.

Local Festivals and Products

Rocca Pia’s gastronomic tradition is represented by pecora al cotturo; a festival dedicated to this dish is held in the second week of August. The patron saint’s festival of San Giuseppe is celebrated on the second Sunday in August. One festival is dedicated to the dish pecora al cotturo, while the other is dedicated to the patron saint San Giuseppe.

Miccole di Vallescura was a historically typical crop of the former Vallescura, now Rocca Pia, and regained greater importance on the Piano delle Cinque Miglia a few years ago. Vallescura is the former name for what is now Rocca Pia.

Getting There

Rocca Pia can be reached via the A25 motorway in the direction of Pescara, taking the Pratola Peligna exit; then follow the direction of Sulmona–Roccaraso. The sequence of landmarks is: A25, Pratola Peligna exit, and then Sulmona–Roccaraso.

Discover More Places

Montereale, Introdacqua, Ortona dei Marsi, Rivisondoli, Morino, San Benedetto In Perillis, Prezza, Ofena

For the higher-level travel overview: L-Aquila.