Itinerary: Gioia Vecchio, Ponte Capomizzo, Valle Chiara, Pescasseroli
Discover Pescasseroli in the National Park of Abruzzo
Pescasseroli (pic n°2) is located in the "National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise"(pic n°1). As it is the main town of the park, for that reason, the National Park of Abruzzo was inaugurated here, in 1922.
Pescasseroli lies on a plateau in the upper Sangro Valley, surrounded by green pastures and ancient woodlands 1160 meters above sea level. This environment is one of the most evocative and unspoiled ones in Italy, so, Pescasseroli is an ideal destination for relaxing and nature-oriented holidays, a beautiful place where to spend some weeks both in summer and in winter.
In fact, Pescasseroli is also a well-known ski resort (pic n°5), in the surrounding neighborhood you will find a well-equipped ski area of 20 kilometers of slopes. You can take part in many winter activities, such as skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and so on. Trekking along dedicated tracks is available throughout the year in this beautiful area.
The village itself (pic n°2) is an example of how the architecture can blend with the surrounding natural environment. In this peaceful small village, you can visit Church Saint Peter and Saint Paul, the main church of the town. (pic n°3). This twelfth-century church was rebuilt several times throughout the centuries, but still preserves the Romanesque and Gothic elements typical of the region.
You can also visit the eighteenth-century Church of Madonna del Carmine, as well as some remarkable buildings such as the outstanding Palazzo Sipari.
The main square and the heart of Pescasseroli's social life is Piazza S. Antonio with a fountain in its center.
The town also houses a Visitor Center "Centro Visita di Pescasseroli" which is composed of:
- the "Museo Naturalistico" (Naturalistic Museum);
- the "Parco Faunistico" (Fauna Park) where injured or distressed wild animals are hosted and cared for; here, you can find some beautiful Marsican brown bears, but also wolves, roe deer, buzzards, and other animals;
- the "Giardino Appenninico" (Apennine Garden), where you can admire the beautiful flora of the Apennines and the typical plants of the National Park.
The precious inlay works and in generally all woodworkings are traditional art crafts here. Also, many companies in Pescasseroli, and all over the National Park, produce excellent honey!
We also suggest visiting Lake Barrea (pic n°6), an artificial lake created in 1951 with the damming of river Sangro, about 17 km from Pescasseroli. It is located in a beautiful location and the nearby area is rich in flora and fauna. There are many hiking trails as well, so you can also take part in many activities such as horseback riding, biking and trekking.
Some pics of Pescasseroli:
Castel Mancino , the ruins of Pescasseroli Castle (pic n°1); Pescasseroli (pic n°2); Church Saint Peter and Saint Paul (pic n°3); View of the village (pic n°4); Pescasseroli, the ski resort (pic n°5); Lake Barrea (pic n°6);