Civitella Casanova between Church Art, Karst Landscapes and Regional Cuisine

Civitella Casanova is a destination for you if you would like to combine Italian culture with landscapes and regional cuisine. The municipality lies within Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park; a large part of its territory extends across the mountain area on the eastern side of the Gran Sasso massif.

Historic Churches and Artistic Motifs

Outside the built-up area stands the small Chiesa Santa Maria della Cona, which dates back to the Renaissance. Its stone portal was created in 1529 by Bernardino Darz and Pietro Aquilano. The single-nave interior contains an old 16th-century fresco: it depicts a woman half-buried in snow, calling on the Madonna for help while several people try to free her.

The small subsidiary church of Madonna delle Grazie di Vestea stands along the old road from Vestea towards Penne. This spatial reference distinguishes it from the location of Chiesa Santa Maria della Cona outside the built-up area. At one of its entrances, next to the baptismal font, a rectangular terracotta form bears the year 1779. The apse fresco depicts Judith beheading Holofernes. The combination of a clearly dated terracotta form and the fresco gives culturally interested travellers a specific second focal point alongside Chiesa Santa Maria della Cona.

Karst Landscapes and Cross-Country Skiing

The Piana del Voltigno is considered an area of remarkable natural interest and a unique example of a karst formation. Cross-country skiing is possible there on prepared trails. If you want to include a connection with nature and a winter activity in your travel plans, this location offers a different planning approach from the churches.

Regional Cuisine and Local Festivals

La Cucina della Nonna serves Sagne e fagioli, Cipollata, Pizze fritte and Arrosticini. These dishes give the culinary side of Civitella Casanova specific names and make regional cuisine an independent travel interest.

This topic also includes two events with different temporal and spatial contexts. The Sagra La Cucina della Nonna is organised by local associations in July and August and promotes the typical products of Civitella Casanova. The Vestea alla Brace event takes place in mid-July in the village of Vestea and is intended to promote local specialities.

Choose Accommodation According to Your Interests

When choosing accommodation for Civitella Casanova, you can consciously weigh the focus of your trip: church art, mountain landscapes, cross-country skiing or regional specialities lead to different planning considerations. This allows you to assess your choice of accommodation objectively according to the desired character of your trip, without reducing Civitella Casanova to a single experience.

More Destinations

For more travel destinations, also take a look at Cepagatti, Roccamorice, Pescosansonesco Nuovo, Pescara, Sant'eufemia A Maiella, Tocco Da Casauria, Abbateggio and Case D'amico.

For the higher-level travel overview: Pescara.