PC Senior All Rights reserved
ABRUZZO4U
Web Site For English Speaking Tourists
Days Out from Secinaro
(L’Aquila)
49.0km/30.45miles (60mins) …. Via Rocca Di Mezzo (The Pretty Way)
Population 69,605; Elevation 714m/2,342ft
Start=Secinaro Piazza: Leaving the village, go Right and up hill past the little park. Beautiful drive up the mountain in
Spring, Summer and especially Autumn (Maybe not too good in Winter). Basically just keep on driving, past the
Chalet Sirente cafe/visitor centre, until you get to a T-Junction. Here you turn Right and drive into Rocca Di Mezzo,
Go through the town and then R on SS17 towards L'Aquila. Through Terranera, sharp L, Fonteavignone, 14km to go!
See sign to Castel D'Ocre off R at a bend (worth a visit even if you can't get inside). Follow signs to SS17/Autostrada to
Roma. Plenty Tornante=bends! See Kartodromo (Go-Karting) on your L .... 50mins to here, then a road off R to Grotto Di
Stiffe but just carry on to Cavita Di Bagno heading for A25/SS17 until you enter L’Aquila through the Archway (Porta Napoli)
Note: Since August 2013 you can, apparently, use the new Tunnel at Campo Felice to cut off a large corner on the way to
L’Aquila - must be worth a try!
From the car park, walk back and cross the main street to the main area and seek out the Tourist Information on your
Right with a small Church at the side of it. The main promenade and market are off to the left.
The whole Town was devastated by an Earthquake (Terremoto)
in 2009 and there has been slow progress in restoring the town
centre areas even now in 2022. Looks like it will take years!
In August 2013, we parked up at the Spanish Castle (which is still closed) and walked down to the main Piazza BUT it was
very depressing and not recommended unless you want to pay your respects!
Suggest that you just visit the 99 Fountains, parking on the Via Madonna Del Fonte or drive in under the arch, and have a
look at the surrounding buildings to get a feel for the devastation caused by the Earthquake …. then carry on out of town
towards San Vittorino and visit the nearby Roman Theatre/Ampitheatre(s)
Colourful daily market
(Pre-Earthquake 2009)
Hope the Church survived!
L'Aquila is the provincial capital and one of the most important art towns in Italy.
Piazza Del Duomo
The Piazza Del Duomo has been the true heart of town life since the Middle Ages, when
it was also used as the area for capital punishment. Today there is a daily market, held
here since 1304. which sees a host of brightly coloured stalls every day …. Or it did
before the Terremoto! The square was also lined with shops where it was possible to
purchase typical products such as ”L'Aquila saffron“, honey and many other delicious
specialities.
Before the Terremoto, there was also a Flea Market at Piazza Santa Maria di Paganica,
on the second weekend of the month.
Spanish Castle (Forte Spagnola)
Not to be missed is a visit to the Castle, even if it is still closed after the Earthquake of
2009! It is an actual fortress built by the Spanish starting in 1534 and designed by
Pirro Luis Escribà. Its 16th Century castle (Il Castello Dell'Aquila) is now a museum
and is in a park with fabulous views over to the Gran Sasso d’Italia. …. Currently
CLOSED after the Terremoto in 2009 but normally open Tue to Sat 08.30-19.00 - the
Museum contains displays of local art and archaeology and the remains of a prehistoric
mammoth.
Fontana Delle 99 Cannelle
According to the tradition, there were 99 "castles" (villages) forming the city towards
the mid-1200s, and this symbolic number was repeated in the 99 churches,
99 quarters, 99 squares and therefore there is a fountain with 99 spouts designed in
1272 by Tancredi da Pentima. It was from the outset used as a public wash-house,
a custom which lasted until the beginning of the last century, though the precise source
of the water is not known. The wall has a chequered tile finish in contrasting pink and
white and has 99 spouts, 93 of which are from the mouths of a series of gargoyles,
representing the figures of men, women, satyrs, warriors and animals.
A curious fact: many tourists attempt to find at least two matching gargoyles, without
success.
Roman Theatre & Ampitheatre (Short drive out of town)
Having visited the 99 Fountains, it is suggested that you then carry on out of town
towards San Vittorino and visit the nearby Roman Theatre on your Right where you may
get a Guide to take you round …. THEN turn Left a little further up the road to visit the
full blown Ampitheatre on your Left where you can walk freely around.
Probably about 20-30mins further on after the 99 Fountains but WELL WORTH IT!
Piazza Del Duomo
(Churches & Market Square)
Fontana Delle 99 Cannelle
(99 Fountain Heads)
No matching gargoyles to be found!
Spanish Castle (Forte Spagnola)
May still be closed after the earthquake
of 2009
Small Roman Theatre
May still be closed after the earthquake of 2009
Roman Ampitheatre
With free access for you to walk around
Great photo shots
Good place for your picnic
Search and Book your trip in advance on Tripadvisor …. a tourist service to rediscover L’Aquila on an environmentally friendly electric shuttle.
A unique experience in the most historic part of the town. You will be comfortably seated and in complete safety. Your English Speaking
guide will take you to the most characteristic parts of the town, as well as some hidden and evocative places which you would not normally
see.
Recommended
Book a Guided Tour of L’Aquila (With English speaking guide) on the Electric, Environmentally Friendly, Shuttle
ABRUZZO4U
Web Site For English Speaking Tourists
Days Out from Secinaro
(L’Aquila)
49.0km/30.45miles (60mins) …. Via Rocca Di Mezzo
(The Pretty Way)
Population 69,605; Elevation 714m/2,342ft
Start=Secinaro Piazza: Leaving the village, go Right and up
hill past the little park. Beautiful drive up the mountain in
Spring, Summer and especially Autumn (Maybe not too good in
Winter). Basically just keep on driving, past the Chalet Sirente
cafe/visitor centre, until you get to a T-Junction. Here you turn
Right and drive into Rocca Di Mezzo, Go through the town and
then R on SS17 towards L'Aquila. Through Terranera, sharp L,
Fonteavignone, 14km to go! See sign to Castel D'Ocre off R at
a bend (worth a visit even if you can't get inside). Follow signs
to SS17/Autostrada to Roma. Plenty Tornante=bends! See the
Kartodromo (Go-Karting) on your L .... 50mins to here, then a
road off R to Grotte Di Stiffe but just carry on to Cavita Di
Bagno heading for A25/SS17 until you enter L’Aquila through
the Archway (Porta Napoli)
Note: Since August 2013 you can, apparently, use the new
Tunnel at Campo Felice to cut off a large corner on the way to
L’Aquila - must be worth a try!
From the car park, walk back and cross the main street to the
main area and seek out the Tourist Information on your Right
with a small Church at the side of it. The main promenade and
market are off to the left.
The whole Town was devastated by an Earthquake
(Terremoto) in 2009 and there has been slow progress
in restoring the town centre areas even now in 2022.
Looks like it will take years!
In August 2013, we parked up at the Spanish Castle (which
was still closed) and walked down to the main Piazza BUT it
was very depressing and not recommended unless you want to
pay your respects! …. Suggest that you just visit the 99
Fountains, parking on the Via Madonna Del Fonte or drive in
under the arch, and have a look at the surrounding buildings
to get a feel for the devastation caused by the Earthquake,
then carry on out of town towards San Vittorino and visit the
nearby Roman Theatre/Ampitheatre(s)
Colourful daily market
(Pre-Earthquake 2009)
Piazza Del Duomo
(Churches & Market Square)
Fontana Delle 99 Cannelle
(99 Fountain Heads)
No matching gargoyles to be found!
Spanish Castle (Forte Spagnola)
May still be closed after the earthquake
of 2009
L'Aquila is the provincial capital and one of the most important
art towns in Italy.
Piazza Del Duomo
The Piazza Del Duomo has been the heart of town life since
the Middle Ages, when it was also used as the area for capital
punishment. The daily market, held here since 1304 or was
before the Terremoto!
Before the Terremoto, there was also a Flea Market at Piazza
Santa Maria di Paganica, on the second weekend of the month.
Spanish Castle (Forte Spagnola)
Not to be missed, even if it is still closed after the Earthquake
of 2009! It is an actual fortress built by the Spanish starting in
1534 and designed by Pirro Luis Escribà. The 16th Century
castle (Il Castello Dell'Aquila) is now a museum and is in a park
with fabulous views over to the Gran Sasso d’Italia.
Fontana Delle 99 Cannelle
According to the tradition, there were 99 "castles" (villages)
forming the city towards the mid-1200s, and this symbolic
number was repeated in the 99 churches, 99 quarters,
99 squares and also in the fountain with its’ 99 spouts.
Designed in 1272 by Tancredi da Pentima. It was used as a
public wash-house, a custom which lasted until the beginning
of the last century, though the precise source of the water is
not known. The wall has a chequered tile finish in contrasting
pink and white and has 99 spouts, 93 of which are from the
mouths of a series of gargoyles, representing the figures of
men, women, satyrs, warriors and animals.
Roman Theatre & Ampitheatre (Short drive out of town)
Having visited the 99 Fountains, it is suggested that you then
carry on out of town towards San Vittorino and visit the nearby
Roman Theatre on your Right where you may get a Guide to
take you round …. THEN turn Left a little further up the road to
visit the full blown Ampitheatre on your Left where you can
walk freely around. Probably about 20-30mins further on after
the 99 Fountains but WELL WORTH IT!
Small Roman Theatre
May still be closed after the earthquake
of 2009
Roman Ampitheatre
With free access for you to walk around
Great Photo Shots/Picnic Area
Recommended
Book a Guided Tour of L’Aquila (With English speaking guide)
on the Electric, Environmentally Friendly, Shuttle
Search and Book your trip in advance on Tripadvisor …. a tourist
service to rediscover L’Aquila on an environmentally friendly electric
shuttle. A unique experience in the most historic part of the town. You
will be comfortably seated and in complete safety. Your English
Speaking
guide will take you to the most characteristic parts of the town, as well
as some hidden and evocative places which you would not normally
see.
PC Senior All Rights reserved
ABRUZZO4U
Web Site For English Speaking Tourists
Days Out from Secinaro
(L’Aquila)
49.0km/30.45miles (60mins) …. Via Rocca Di Mezzo (The Pretty Way)
Population 69,605; Elevation 714m/2,342ft
Start=Secinaro Piazza: Leaving the village, go Right and up hill past the little park. Beautiful
drive up the mountain in Spring, Summer and especially Autumn (Maybe not too good in Winter)
Basically just keep on driving, past the Chalet Sirente cafe/visitor centre, until you get to a
T-Junction. Here you turn Right and drive into Rocca Di Mezzo, Go through the town and then R
on SS17 towards L'Aquila. Through Terranera, sharp L, Fonteavignone, 14km to go!
See sign to Castel D'Ocre off R at a bend (worth a visit even if you can't get inside). Follow signs
to SS17/Autostrada to Roma. Plenty Tornante=bends! See Kartodromo (Go-Karting) on your L.
50mins to here, then see a road off R to Grotte Di Stiffe but just carry on to Cavita Di Bagno
heading for A25/SS17 until you enter L’Aquila through the Archway (Porta Napoli)
Note: Since August 2013 you can, apparently, use the new Tunnel at Campo Felice to cut off a
large corner on the way to L’Aquila - must be worth a try!
From the car park, walk back and cross the main street to the main area and seek out the
Tourist Information on your Right with a small Church at the side of it. The main promenade
and market are off to the left.
The whole Town was devastated by an Earthquake (Terremoto) in 2009 and there
has been slow progress in restoring the town centre areas even now in 2022. Looks
like it will take years!
In August 2013, we parked up at the Spanish Castle (which was still closed) and walked down
to the main Piazza BUT it was very depressing and not recommended unless you want to pay
your respects! …. Suggest that you just visit the 99 Fountains, parking on the Via Madonna Del
Fonte or drive in under the arch, and have a look at the surrounding buildings to get a feel for
the devastation caused by the Earthquake …. then carry on out of town towards San Vittorino
and visit the nearby Roman Theatre/Ampitheatre(s)
Colourful daily market
(Pre-Earthquake 2009)
Piazza Del Duomo
(Churches & Market Square)
Hope the Church survived!
Fontana Delle 99 Cannelle
(99 Fountain Heads)
No matching gargoyles to be found!
Spanish Castle (Forte Spagnola)
May still be closed after the earthquake
of 2009
L'Aquila is the provincial capital and one of the most important
art towns in Italy.
Piazza Del Duomo
The Piazza Del Duomo has been the true heart of town life since
the Middle Ages, when it was also used as the area for capital
punishment. Today there is a daily market, held here since
1304 or was before the Terremoto!
Before the Terremoto, there was also a Flea Market at Piazza
Santa Maria di Paganica, on the second weekend of the month.
Spanish Castle (Forte Spagnola)
Not to be missed, even if it is still closed after the Earthquake
of 2009! It is an actual fortress built by the Spanish starting in
1534 and designed by Pirro Luis Escribà. The 16th Century
castle (Il Castello Dell'Aquila) is now a museum and is in a park
with fabulous views over to the Gran Sasso d’Italia. Normally
open Tue to Sat 08.30-19.00 - the Museum contains displays of
local art and archaeology and the remains of a prehistoric
mammoth.
Fontana Delle 99 Cannelle
According to the tradition, there were 99 "castles" (villages)
forming the city towards the mid-1200s, and this symbolic
number was repeated in the 99 churches, 99 quarters,
99 squares and therefore there is a fountain with 99 spouts
designed in 1272 by Tancredi da Pentima. It was used as a
public wash-house, a custom which lasted until the beginning of
the last century, though the precise source of the water is not
known. The wall has a chequered tile finish in contrasting pink
and white and has 99 spouts, 93 of which are from the mouths
of a series of gargoyles, representing the figures of men,
women, satyrs, warriors and animals. A curious fact: many
tourists attempt to find at least two matching gargoyles,
without success.
Roman Theatre & Ampitheatre (Short drive out of town)
Having visited the 99 Fountains, it is suggested that you then carry on out of town towards San
Vittorino and visit the nearby Roman Theatre on your Right where you may get a Guide to take
you round …. THEN turn Left a little further up the road to visit the full blown Ampitheatre on
your Left where you can walk freely around. Probably about 20-30mins further on after the 99
Fountains but WELL WORTH IT!
Small Roman Theatre
May still be closed after the earthquake
of 2009
Roman Ampitheatre
With free access for you to walk around
Great photo shots
Good place for your picnic
Recommended
Book a Guided Tour of L’Aquila (With English speaking guide) on the Electric, Environmentally
Friendly, Shuttle
Search and Book your trip in advance on Tripadvisor …. a tourist service to rediscover L’Aquila on an
environmentally friendly electric shuttle. A unique experience in the most historic part of the town. You will be
comfortably seated and in complete safety. Your English Speaking guide will take you to the most
characteristic parts of the town, as well as some hidden and evocative places which you would not normally
see.
