Let’s discover Civitella del Tronto
Perched on a rocky cliff, Civitella del Tronto is a small but charming fortified village located north of Abruzzo, towards the border with the Marche. It is part of the circuit of “The Most Beautiful Villages of Italy” and is able to amaze in every season of the year. Although its origins are very ancient, as evidenced by the numerous archaeological finds found in Ripe di Civitella and in the Sant’Angelo and Salomone caves, the village as we can admire it today dates back to the early medieval period. The emotions of the past relive in its historic center, enclosed within the thirteenth-century walls and characterized by picturesque alleys, called in the French “rue”. Among these we cannot fail to mention the famous “ruetta”, the narrowest street in Italy, only 40 centimeters wide.
The village is dominated, almost in its entire length, by the Bourbon fortress, one of the most majestic and important military engineering works built on Italian soil. Built by the Spaniards in the second half of the 16th century, it extends for over 500 meters and covers a total area of about 25,000 square meters. In 1861 it was the last stronghold of the Bourbon kingdom to surrender to the nascent Unification of Italy. The visit develops through three covered walkways, the squares of arms, the cisterns, the patrol walkways, the remains of the Governor’s Palace, the Church of San Giacomo and the soldiers’ barracks. Inside the fortress there is the Museum of Weapons and Ancient Maps, which houses a remarkable collection of ancient weapons, maps and documents. Among the weapons stand out some 15th-century fuse guns, a Napoleonic field cannon and two small cannons called “marine falconets”.
The heart of the village is Piazza Filippi Pepe, from which it is possible to enjoy a splendid view that ranges from the Twin Mountains to the Gran Sasso massif. The Church of San Lorenzo overlooks the square, which originally stood outside the city walls. It was rebuilt at the end of the 16th century inside the walls, leaning against Porta Napoli, the only one of the three ancient gates that has been perfectly preserved. Among the paintings in the church, a Visitation and a Madonna del Rosario dating back to the 16th century deserve particular attention.
Among the other religious buildings, the following are worthy of note: the Church of San Francesco, with its beautiful rose window and the valuable 15th century choir; the small Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, also known as della Scopa, in which a wooden Christ deposed of great pathos is preserved; the Convent of Santa Maria dei Lumi, where you can admire a wonderful polychrome wooden statue made in the fifteenth century by Giovanni di Biasuccio; and the Abbey of Santa Maria di Montesanto, one of the first Benedictine centers in Abruzzo.
In addition to the Museum of Weapons and Ancient Maps, there is also another museum of considerable interest. We are talking about the Nina Museum, which traces the history of Civitella del Tronto through an extraordinary collection that belonged to the local noble families. Altogether more than 3000 pieces are exhibited including documents, high fashion clothes, everyday objects, military uniforms, jewels, ancient fabrics and a precious bedroom. The most important pieces include a 16th-century ushak carpet from the Kronprinz Palace in Berlin and a small throne in wood in gold leaf and decorated and painted glass inlays from the 18th century. It also has a museum education section dedicated to children.
Civitella del Tronto is as beautiful to look at as it is good “to eat”. Cured meats, cheeses, potatoes, legumes, oil, black truffles and mushrooms are just some of the excellent products that the area offers. Instead, among the typical dishes there are: ceppe, a sort of macaroni with a hole made with flour, water and eggs that are served with the classic meat sauce or with porcini mushrooms; and the Franceschiello-style stew, made with chicken, lamb, sauce, pickles and white wine.