Serramonacesca

Where it is located: Serramonacesca (PE) is a characteristic hilly centre at the foot of the ancient Monastery of San Liberatore a Maiella. Crowned by high wooded mountains, the Alento river flows through its territory.

Why visit: Land of hermitages and castles, the village of Serramonacesca offers extraordinary itineraries to visit castles and hermitages while enjoying an evocative and uncontaminated natural setting.

What to see:
Church of Santa Maria Assunta, in the centre of the village with a classic stone façade. Valuable statues from various eras and a 17th century painting of the Annunciation.

Badia di S.Liberatore a Maiella, which stands in an evocative natural setting, immersed in the woods surrounding the town of Serramonacesca, near the Alento river. It is one of the most significant examples of Romanesque architecture in Abruzzo as well as one of the oldest medieval churches of the Cassinese Benedictine order.

Hermitage of Sant'Onofrio - In the Orfento valley, across the ford of Sant'Antonio, one reaches the hermitage of Sant'Onofrio. The hermitage is mentioned in a document from 1844. It was most probably dedicated to Sant'Onofrio in memory of the more famous Celestine hermitage on Morrone.

Castel Menardo, medieval, built to defend the monastery. The path through the forest to reach the castle is easy to walk and also has a picnic area.

Ancient tower and traces of dwellings on the rocks of Colle Ciumina.
Remains of the Polegra Tower of the ancient 'Castrum Polegrae' fortress.
What to eat: ravioli, gnocchi, barbecued lamb, homemade cheeses and sausages.