Less than two hours from Rome and only one hour from the Adriatic, this large four bedroomed house has been completely refurbished to a very high standard. Beautifully furnished, with many original features, the house sits on the edge of one of Italy’s finest mediaeval villages. The property’s original tiled floors have been retained, thus preserving its character whilst providing modern amenities and central heating throughout. Uninterrupted views of the mountains, village and valley can be enjoyed from the very large roof terrace equipped with loungers, barbecue, chairs and table.
The four bedrooms are all very spacious and would comfortably sleep eight people and accommodate either of the two spare beds provided for extra guests. Additional comfort and convenience are offered by the luxury appointed large family bathroom and en-suite shower room to the master bedroom. There is also a small WC on the first floor.
10 minutes from the village of Pacentro is the historic(and also picturesque) town of Sulmona which also has all modern amenities and train and bus links far and near. Public transport, in Italy, is efficient and incredibly cheap.
Caldora Castle (which dates back to the 10th - 11th centuries)
I Canaje (ancient open air laundry, built with slabs of stone)
La Preta tonna (scandal stone, is a large hollowed-out rock used as an unit of measurement for grain, on which insolvent debtors were obliged to sit nude in front of the passers-by as a form of public humiliation)
Piazza del Popolo
- Church of Santa Mari a della Miscericordia (16th-century Mother Church. Its imposing façade, embellished with a sculpted cornice, is graced by a charming sundial. The original entrance door is preserved inside, the remarkable work of a local artist, carved entirely out of wood. The church vaulting is completely covered with stucco-work.)
Chiesa San Marcello (1047,
is the most ancient in the village. It houses interesting frescoes and presents a wooden portal carved by local craftsmen on which the date 1697 can still be read)
Convent of the Minorities Observant Friars (now a youth hostel)
Chiesa SS. Concerzione (in Baroque style, extending along the entire length of one side of the Convent of the Observant Minors, founded in 1589. A majestic painting dedicated to the Virgin dominates the wall above the church's high altar, work of the Flemish painter Spranger. Certain particulars worth noting: in the lower part of the painting, the Franciscan friar holding a book represents the Franciscan philosopher Duns Scoto; in the upper part, the author's self-portrait gazes at the female figure on the opposite side of the painting, perhaps his beloved.)
Chiesa Madonna delle Grazie
Chiesa San Filippo Neri (17 th century)
The Old Quarter
Piano dell’Aringo Contrada (Contrada = neighbourhood)
“Piazza delle Botteghe” Contrada
“Fonte del Vallone” Contrada
“Case Cadute” Contrada
“Ospedale di san Marco” Contrada
“Colle” Contrada
“Guardiola” Contrada
“Convento” Contrada
“Castello” Contrada
Casa della Corte
Loco detto di sotto il Castello
“Antera” Contrada
Colle Ardinghi (3 coloured rock – Start of the annual "Corsa degli Zingari" race)
Other churches
- Chiesa San Marco
- Chiesa Madonna Angeli
- Chiesa Madre
- Chiesa Annunziata (disused)
- Chiesa Madonna di Loreto
This is where the annual "Corsa degli Zingari" race ends.
This barefoot race (entrants need to have been born in or lived in Pacentro to qualify for entry) is run down the unpathed scree slope, from the Colle Ardinghi, down in to the valley and then up the other side of the valley, on a narrow path, to Pacentro. It ends in the Chiesa Madonna di Loreto. The photograph shows the arrival of the 2007 winner, to the accompaniment of the local band and hundreds of spectators. Afterwards there is a lavish prize-giving ceremony in the Piazza Umberto
Sulmona lies in a valley surrounded by breath-taking mountains. The birthplace of Ovid, it is a bustling, picturesque medieval town lieing at the confluence of major trade and culture routes: The north - south route from Florence to Naples; and the west - east route from Rome to Pescara and the Adriatic coast.
Twice a week the Piazza Garibaldi (formerly Piazza Maggiore) is teaming with a colourful market, in the shadows of the 13th Century medieval aqueduct. Every Easter Sunday the large piazza throngs to the sights and sounds of the Madonna che scappa, or Running Madonna, following the procession of the Dead Christ, on Good Friday. Surrounding the piazza are many cafes. The piazza itself also has many elegant 16th - 18th Century noble mansions, as well as the church of San Filippo and the Santa Chiara monastery, with its attached church, as well as the Diocesan Museum and Municipal Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art.
Sulmona's astounding fortifications are still evident in its many historic town gates and partially preserved town walls.
Amongst its many more attractions are:
- Corso Ovido is the ancient axis, originating in the Dark Ages, around which all the towns major monuments were built.
- Palace of the Annunziata (13th century) was founded as a hospital for the infirm, as well as an orphanage. Today it houses the Archaeological Museum & the Museum of Abruzzo - Molise Costume & Transhumance.
- Museo Civico is also contained within the SS. Annunziata Complex.
- Via Matteotti
- Church of San Panfilo was builtover a Roman temple, in the 12th Century. Its magnificent portal is surmounted by a lavish rose window, both 14th Century. The church also houses the San Panfilo Cathedral Museum, which contains items from the 9th to the 19th Century.
- Piazza del Carmine
- San Fransecesco della Scarpa (13th century portal and 18th Century organ)
Via Stella
- Church of San Gaetano contains remains from 2nd – 4th century A.D., as well as mosaics from the 1st Century A.D. and traces of frescoes dated 8th - 9th Century.
- Via Mazara
- Remains of a house: 1st century B.C. – 2nd century A.D.
- Via Petrarca
- Via corfinio
- Via dell’Ospedale
- Fontanna del Vecchio (1474 aqueduct)
- Ovid’s Villa (ruin)
- Confetti is the locally made internationally famous Pelino confectionary, made from sugared almonds, and made on the edge of the town. The factory houses the Museum of the Art and Technology of Sugared Almond Production as well as the Museum of Image and Documentation.
- Very large, colourful, non-touristy markets on Wednesdays & Saturdays
North of Sulmona. Pacentro is one of the gateways to the Parco Nazionale della Majella. From Pacentro continue away from Sulmona on the N487. Eventually it forks with the N487 continuing north & the N84 going south. Northwards the N487 goes 1 st to the Passo San Leonardo (1282m) where there is a restaurant & ski run(s). Continue northwards through Caramanico Terme (600m) and other villages. Then either turn left towards Tocco da Casauri or continue along the N487 to Scafa. From either Tocco da Casauri or Scafa turn left along the N5 towards Sulmona or join the A25 motorway, again towards Sulmona.
Alternatively, at the N487/N84 junction, turn right along the N84 towards the skiing resort of Campo di Giove (1064m). From here you can turn right to Cansano and back to Pacentro, or you can continue along the N84 to Pescocostanzo and back to Pacentro through Cansano. Pescocostanzo is very close to the villages of Rivisondoli and Roccaraso. Roccaraso is the area’s largest ski resort.
South of Sulmona, the N83 from Pescina to Castel di Sangro goes through the spectacular national park (since 1922). A great round trip is to drive from Sulmona to Pescina (on the A25 motorway), take the N83 to Lago di Barrea, then double back along the N479, through Scanno & Anversa degli Abruzzi to Sulmona.
Just east of Opi (at the confluence of the river Melta & river Sangro) are golden eagles. Slightly further west is the Rist. Nat. Fuedo in Tramonti e Colle di Liccio, a well known beauty spot. Slightly further west again, at Casone Antonucci is a track leading south, past the Rif. Alb, to the Rif. Belvedere Della Liscia, which is somewhat of a center for wildlife. Further west on the N83 is Lago di Barrea. This is an artificial lake, caused by the damming of the F. Sangro. There are many walking & trekking possibilities from here.
Only 45 minutes drive away is the adriatic coast and mile after mile of beautiful tendered beaches and (normally) completely flat, warm, sea. Behind the coast itself is a large cosmopolitan city with a port and a fishing fleet and ferries to take you across the adriatic to Croatia. It also has tremendous shopping facilities.
Just over 2 hours away by car. again, slightly longer by train or coach. Again, we will leave you to decide what to see and do there! Note that Naples is very close to Vesuvius, Pompeii, Herculaneum and the Amalfi coast.
Less than two hours from Rome and only one hour from the Adriatic, this large four bedroomed house has been completely refurbished to a very high standard. Beautifully furnished, with many original features, the house sits on the edge of one of Italy’s finest mediaeval villages. The property’s original tiled floors have been retained, thus preserving its character whilst providing modern amenities and central heating throughout. Uninterrupted views of the mountains, village and valley can be enjoyed from the very large roof terrace equipped with loungers, barbecue, chairs and table.
Caldora Castle (which dates back to the 10th - 11th centuries) 
Colle Ardinghi (3 coloured rock – Start of the annual "Corsa degli Zingari" race) 
- Chiesa Madonna di Loreto 
Bars in Pacentro 
