4 villages to discover on the Costa dei Trabocchi

The Trabocchi Coast is famous for its enchanting seascapes, clear waters and naturalistic beauty. But besides the sea and nature, there is more. There are also a number of picturesque villages on this coastline, rich in history and great charm, which represent its most authentic soul and are just waiting to be discovered.

What are the must-see villages on the Trabocchi Coast? We have selected 4 that deserve to be visited (at least) once in a lifetime.

ORTONA

One of the most beautiful and characteristic is undoubtedly the medieval town of Ortona, which has kept its original appearance almost intact. It stands on a hill from which it overlooks a long coastline characterized by inlets, bays, cliffs and headlands overlooking the sea. Beautiful historic buildings are hidden among its narrow alleys. The symbol of Ortona is the Aragonese Castle. Perched atop a spur, as we know it today it dates from the second half of the 15th century. Another symbolic place is the Cathedral of St. Thomas the Apostle, in whose crypt the Saint’s relics are kept. Other sights include: the prestigious Palazzo Farnese, which houses the Cascella Art Gallery; and the Battle Museum, which traces the dramatic wartime events of 1943.

SAN VITO CHIETINO

Another village full of charm is San Vito Chietino, the “broom town” immortalized by the pen of Gabriele D’Annunzio. Perched on a ridge jutting out toward the sea, it offers breathtaking views from its belvedere that sweep from Majella to Gargano to the Tremiti Islands. The village recounts its medieval past with the remains of the town wall and its beautiful churches. Prominent among these is the Church of the Immaculate Conception, whose interior houses 15th-century goldsmithing and 16th- and 17th-century paintings. Other religious buildings include the Church of St. Francis of Paola and the Church of St. Roch. Also located here is the Dannuntian Hermitage, a small rural house where the Vate set his “Triumph of Death” and where he spent a brief stay in the summer of 1889.

ROCCA SAN GIOVANNI

Fully included in the circuit of “The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy,” Rocca San Giovanni stands on the top of a rocky hill between the mouths of the Sangro River and the Feltrino Stream. The town was founded in the 11th century with the purpose of providing shelter, in case of assaults, for the monks of the nearby Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere (located in Fossacesia). Walking through its alleys, the medieval imprint is evident. Along Abate Odorisio Street you can see the most significant remains of the walls built in the 11th century, culminating in the still well-preserved crenellated tower known as the “Torrione dei Filippini.” The heart of Rocca San Giovanni is the beautiful Piazza degli Eroi, which is overlooked by: the Romanesque-style Church of St. Mthatew the Apostle; and the Town Hall, home to an interesting collection of works of art.

CASALBORDINO

And last but not least is the fortified village of Casalbordino, which stands on the slopes of a hill between the lower reaches of the Osento and Sinello rivers. In addition to the remains of the ancient city wall, there are several noteworthy palaces that retain their original neoclassical and baroque features. These include the Palazzo Furiì Teresa, the Palazzo Galante, and the Palazzo De Januario, with the sober Baroque frames of the balconies. The main religious building in the village is the 18th-century Church of St. Savior, characterized by its sturdy Art Nouveau bell tower. In the locality of Miracoli, on the other hand, is the Shrine of Our Lady of Miracles, whose origin dates back to the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to an elderly man from Pollutri back on June 11, 1576.