What to see and what to do in Gran Sasso

Seth in the northern part of the town, it was built by the Spanish. The rectangular building is part of the well preserved walls of the town. It is made up of four solid ramparts at the four angles and it hosts the National Museum of Abruzzo.

The Ethnographic Civic Museum is divided into a series of exhibition venues distributed within the historic center.The tourist, walking among squares and alleys, can descend into the ancient traditions of Castel del Mount The museum tour touches: “The oven of the dance”, "The Ancient House”, "The Work of the Fields”, “The Art of Wool” and “Shepherding”.

The Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio is an important place of Catholic worship in the city of L'Aquila. Founded in 1287 at the behest of Pietro da Morrone, crowned Pope Celestine V in 1294, it is the most important religious monument in the city. It contains the world's first Holy Door and is home to a unique annual jubilee. The basilica was badly damaged during the 2009 earthquake and is still closed for restoration work that is expected to end in 2016.

Set in the city centre, a few meters from Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. The huge stairsand the Rinascimental facade by Cola Dell'Amatrice, rebuilt in 1703 after an earthquake, are truly impressing.

It is a medieval Romanesque building probably dating back to the first half of 1300. Since 2005 it has officially become “The Pope's Church” as on that date an important demonstration was held for the name of the former Gendarme summit (m.2424) to Pope John Paul II.

A community of L'Aquila, where you can find a first century amphitheatre, a Roman theatre, the old spas and an aqueduct. Under the church of San Michele Arcangelo you can also visit the catacombs.

The biggest square in town; it also hosts the most important monuments. Here, every week the market takes place. The Cathedral dates back to the XIII century and it has been rebuilt after the earthquake of the XVIII century.

Castel del Monte is an important example of urban fortification. The two most important architectural features are: the wall-houses, buildings having a dual function, residential and defensive, and the sports, tunnels dug into the rock to connect various parts of the inhabited.

The largest artificial reservoir in Europe, represents a very important place of rest and reproduction for thousands of migratory and settlement birds. On the lake, you can also go canoeing, windsurfing and birdwatching. The lake is part of the state nature reserve at a height of 1313 a.s.l.

A charming fortress in the Province of L'Aquila, considered by National Geographic one of the 15 most beautiful castles in the world. Quadrangular in shape with square stones, it has been set of numerous internationally renowned films such as 'Lady Hawke' and 'The Name of the Rose' to name a few.

The Park occupies 150 thousand hectares of area, covers three Italian regions Abruzzo, Marche and Lazio and five provinces: Teramo, L'Aquila, Pescara, Ascoli Piceno and Rieti.

It is the second southernmost glacier in Europe, it is located on the northern slope of the Corno Grande inside the Gran Sasso massif at an altitude of between 2650 and 2850 meters above sea level. Ideal point of arrival for high altitude excursions.

In the town of Valle dell'Ombra, with an altitude of 1462, is the astronomical site, from where you can have a 360° view of the sky, except the south area, slightly covered by trees. To make the plain enchanting is a statue that depicts an Alpine. In addition to this astronomical site, in Carpineto della Nora we also find another one located in the locality Tricalle.

The Abbey of S. Bartolomeo is located in the Municipality of Carpineto della Nora. The building was built in 962 by Bernardo's will. The church has a rectangular structure, with only one central door. Inside it was restored and its present appearance was conferred on it by the changes made in the twelfth century.

The Castle of L'Aquila is a fortress that was built at the behest of the Viceroy of Naples Don Pedro di Toledo in the first half of the 500, during the Spanish settlement. The building was built to suppress the rebellion of the citizens who had joined the French. The Castle was also used as accommodation for French and German soldiers in the nineteenth century and during World War II.

Dragonetti de Torres Castle was built in the 17th century on a project by Pietro Larbitro. The structure has a square plan with impressive angular turrets at the top.

It is the symbol of the town and dates back to the XIII century. But what you see today, has been built during the last century, piece by piece, in the enlargment of the church. The fountain is covered in white and pink stones.

The castle was built around the twelfth century, homonymous to the city of Arsita, which at the time was called Bacucco. After 1550, the building underwent a deep restoration. It was used as a residence by the nobles of the time, as opposed to the current state, of a total abandonment. The castle is located at the highest point of the country.

The Church of S. Maria di Cartignano dates back to the eleventh century and was built by Benedictine monks. It was a monastery for about three centuries. Then, since it was abandoned, it became the grain of St. Liberator. It has a structure with three naves. This could be said thanks to careful studies and from the remains that we can see. Unfortunately, only parts of the original structure are currently visible.

The Church of St. Peter in Oratorium was erected at the behest of the Lombard king, Desiderio. Its construction dates back to 752, the year in which it is cited as the possession of the Benedictine monks of San Vincenzo al Volturno. From the Lombard period, traces of some bas-reliefs placed above the portal are visible. In addition, the palindroma inscription of the “Sator Square” is of great importance.

Between the '500 and 800 the Colelli family was one of the richest and most famous in the country. Around its riches and the behavioral originality of its members, numerous anecdotes and legends were born, among which there is also that of the famous 'treasure room' (among one hundred) which still was not found.

This palace is set on Santa Giusta Square, in front of the homonymous church. it has been built in 1776 by Loreto Cicchi Pescocostanzo in Borromean Style. Today it is the seat of the Abruzzo Region.

This alley in the historical centre is surrounded by medieval palaces, old portals, passages and stairs. It is one of the most beautiful palces in town and it leads to Piazza del Duomo in Collemaggio.

Set in the lower part of the town, close to Porta Napoli, it is surrounded by a number of parks with beautiful fountains. Here there also is a restaurant and various sports fields. The Villa is set in front of Palazzo Emiciclo.