Through this guide, you will discover a territory and a region that over the years is at the center of an uncontaminated nature still punctuatedby its hasbeen able to preserve with pride and in a pristine way its beauties with a deep times, capable to generate unforgettable fruits and landscapes. artistic, architectural and natural-landscape value, without becoming “touristy”. The village is perfectly set between the highest peak of the Apennines, the Gran Do not be afraid to go to the discovery, this land will well repay you. Sasso and the , leaving the climate to balance the soft and tasty influ- ence of the sea to the cold currents of the high mountain. The Pepe family The view from the rolling hills, dominated by a rich biodiversity, offers the most diverse possibilitiesfrom the sea to the mountains and everything else in between.

Welcome to our Land GRAN SASSO NATIONAL PARK GOLE DEL In the province of , located within the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, in , near the border with the region , there is one of the most fascinating valleys of the Apennines, the Gole del Salinello Natural Reserve. The “Gole del Salinello” is a nature reserve for the protection of the deep gorges created by the Salinello river, between the Foltrone and Girella The Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga Imperatore plateau, a large and beauti- mountains, also known as the Gemelli National Park contains the Gran Sasso ful high-altitude prairie. Rich in woods Mountains, which, over the millennia, group, the Laga group and the Gemelli and streams, in waterfalls and ponds, has been able to create landscapes of Mountains. the Monti della Laga have a softer and uncontaminated beauty and hiking-trails The first presents the typical face of more wavy appearance. It is possible of unspeakable charm, characterized by the Dolomites with important peaks, to organize guided hikes with expert springs, waterfalls, streams and ponds. steep slopes and a myriad of high guides by asking the Reception. altitude routes from where it is possi- A not-to-miss, is a lunch at the Rifugio ble, on particularly clear days, to see Franchetti, located on the highest peak the Adriatic Sea, the Tyrrhenian and of the Gran Sasso, at 2433 meters a.s.l., most of central . Here lies also which retains the original spirit of the the and the Campo refuge of the past. Nearby Cities

“A walk through the streets of the old city is like flipping through a volume of art history and meeting the most expressive illustrations of the various periods of Italian art"

Jean Paul Sartre SAN BENEDETTO DEL is the first between San Benedetto del Tronto and touristic reality of the Marche region , offers a typical cuisine and is a seaside destination known na- that enhances the natural goodness of tionally and not only. The city is located the fish with a biodynamic and artisan between the rivers Tesino and Tronto wine list. and is characterized by a wide sandy beach that surrounds a beautiful sea with shallow waters. These are the main characteristics of the “Riviera delle Palme” of which San Benedetto del Tronto is the main exponent and that has allowed the city to be nominated Ascoli Piceno is a beautiful medieval Piazza Arringo, the oldest of Ascoli. for many years the “Blue Flag” of the city of the Marche region, considered Not to be missed is the historic Caffè European Community as well as having among the most monumental in Italy. Meletti, inaugurated in 1907, one of the become a location of international Dotted with towers and bell towers and 150 historic bars in Italy, which has seen relevance. enveloped in the warm golden color of guests such as Ernest Hemingway, Jean Vinoammare, a chalet on the beach TERAMO travertine, which covers almost the en- Paul Sartre and Mario Soldati. The bar The capital of our province is a city tire historic center. The Piazza del Popo- offers a solid selection of high-quality with very ancient origins that boasts a lo is magnificent with some of the most cocktails, our favorite is the Ramerino rich artistic heritage. The most valu- important places, including Palazzo dei to accompany the classic Olive all'As- able work is undoubtedly the Duomo, Capitani del Popolo (13th century) or colana, as the Meletti offers an excellent known as the Basilica of Santa Maria the church of San Francesco (13th-16th version of them. Assunta, built in the twelfth century in centuries), the Loggia dei Mercanti and Romanesque style. Perched on a summit, the spectacular fortress of Civi- tella del Tronto stands out in the panorama with its fortifi- cations and its well-preserved Heritag e historic center.

Campli, despite the appearance of a quiet town in the Teramo countryside, used to be a village of great traditions and this illustrious past still preserves today, jealously, splendid testimonies: one of these is certainly the Scala Santa. The Scala Santa was established in Campli on 21 January 1772 thanks to a Papal Privilege of Clement XIV. The sacred building is made up of 28 wood- en steps to be climbed strictly on his The emotions of the past come to life Naples during the “risorgimento” strug- knees, for the remission of sins. Those in the city-fortress of Civitella, certain- gles for the unification of Italy. Enviable who perform the rite receive the Plenary ly one of the most representative and for its panoramic position, the fort Indulgence with the same value of the evocative centers of our province. Em- seduces with its three splendid parade homonymous “Scala di Roma”. Campli blem of Civitella is the solemn Bourbon grounds, the ramparts and walkways is very well known for being the home- Fortress, a masterpiece of military en- and, inside, the Museum that still today land of the famous “porchetta", one of gineering with its 25,000 square meters "tells" its history. the most iconic street food in Italy. The of surface that make it the largest in It is worth stopping for lunch at the his- Cappuccelli butcher and the Antica Por- . toric restaurant Zunica 1880, a food and chettaare surely among the most famous Built by the Spaniards between 1564 and wine landmark of the area: its cuisine is places where to buy a sandwich to be 1576 to resist the enemy, the Fortress rooted in tradition yet reinterpreted with enjoyed, perhaps with a fresh drink, in was the last bastion of the Kingdom of current sensibility and techniques. the shade of the arcades. Borghi and Local Crafts

The majolica is a typical production of many countries of Abruzzo since the Middle Ages and has its capital in Castelli which was for centuries one of the most important production centers in Europe. CASTELLI Castelli is located in the surroundings of Offida, an ancient village surround- Popolo, with its unusual triangular Teramo at the foot of Mount Camicia, ed by the 15th century castle walls, is shape and the Palazzo Comunale, with in the National Park of Gran Sasso and included among the most beautiful vil- an elegant loggia of thirteen columns Monti della Laga and is considered among lages in Italy (Borghi più belli d’Italia). in travertine and a XV century portico. the most beautiful villages in Italy. Already Located on a rocky outcrop, between From the portico of the town hall you from the Middle Ages the presence of clay, water and wood in the territory led the the valleys of the Tesino and the Tron- can access the splendid Theatre“Te- Benedictine monks to start the production to rivers, it is known for the laborious atro del SerpenteAureo”, built in the of ceramics. This processing is still done and patient art of “merletto al tombo- 19th century, rich in stuccos and gilded today and along the main street of the lo” (bobbin lace), an ancient tradition, carvings. village, characterized by a staircase, you to which a whole museum is dedicat- It is also known for its historic Carnival can admire the workmanship of this fine ed. Here, the lace work dates back to that takes place every year according material in many shops belonging to the The art of forging copper is a practice the '400 and the tools used today are to a ritual set by tradition: it officially old masters. still used in some artisan workshops still those of the past: a large cushion begins on January 17, the day of St. If you are curious to find out how the (bobbin), a perch that serves as a base Anthony. process of working with pottery takes of Tossicia, a small enchanted village (prepenna) and wooden spindles to To characterize the Carnival “offidano” place, our advice is to visit the historic that was in the past the capital of the workshop of the Pardi family, founded in Sicilian Valley, a district of high land- wrap the wire. All this to create tissues, is the manifestation of "Lu BovFint" 1838, as it is one of the few where you can scape and cultural value on the Teramo centerpieces, sheets, bedspreads. (The fake bull), which consists of a see the full process from the lathe to the side of the Gran Sasso mount donated, The heart of the village is Piazza del farcical hunt for a fake bull today, but- final product. during the 16th century, by Charles V real in the past. This is an event that, In addition, the Ceramics Museum, located to a noble Spanish family. despite the pressure of modern times, in the ancient Franciscan convent dating Several typical objects are produced preserves its identity, maintaining a back to the mid-sixteenth century, deserves here, and in particular the “conca”, healthy imprint of popular creativity. to be visited. thetypical basin symbol of the land of Abruzzo. “Leaning out from the rocks, like a lurking monster, with its hundred arts the Trabocco had a formidable appearance”

The Coast Gabriele D’Annunzio TORRE DI CERRANO COSTA DEI TRABOCCHI The Tower of Cerrano is one of the few Similar to huge spiders planted in the Recently this area is experiencing an surviving fortresses part of the dense sea, as Gabriele D'Annunzio himself important tourist development and network of coastal fortifications of the called them, the Trabocchi, which for many overflows have been converted , built to repel the centuries were the fishing houses of into restaurants that interpret the local frequent attacks from the sea by Turks​​ and farmers not accustomed/used to navi- cuisine differently. Worth noting, both Saracens; it dates back to 1568 and was built on a pre-existing construction of the gation, are nowadays cozy and welcom- for the quality of the restaurant and for thirteenth century. Today, after an intense ing places for visitors. The Trabocchi the well-kept and scenographic envi- consolidation and restoration, it houses a are fishing machines that punctuate the ronment, undoubtedly the Trabocco Biology Center and is home to the "Torre Adriatic coast of Abruzzo (44 km from “Punta Cavalluccio” in Fossacesia. del Cerrano" Protected Marine Area, Ortona to Vasto). A tangle of ropes, which made the fortress usable, opening wood and iron; stilt houses that still up to sustainable tourism through a series perform their primary function: fishing. of activities such as guided tours, events and snorkeling activities on the remains of the submerged port, completing a program to protect and enhance the environment. The beach in the surroundings is one of the most beautiful and wild of Abruzzo. Half an hour from the tower you can find two iconic fish restaurants: Vecchia Marina and Manetta, the first a real sea restaurant with high quality raw materials, the second more elegant with more elaborate prepa- rations. Enjoy our Mountains

For those who are willing to dedicate a day to discover one of the most important mountains in Europe and drive a few kilometers more to get there, there are count- less itineraries and villages to experience on the different slopes of the Gran Sasso d'Italia. ROCCA The Gran Sasso massif is characterized (reachable in about 1hr by car from To- Rocca Calascio with its almost 1,500 Michelle Pfeiffer) and "The name of by the immense Campo Imperatore rano Nuovo) it is possible to leave the meters of altitude is the highest castle the rose" (with Sean Connery). plateau, between 1,500 and 1,900 me- car in the large parking lot and take the in Italy and one of the highest in ters of altitude, modeled over millennia cableway to the Madonnina, an accessi- Europe. From the Fortress, the view by loods and glaciers, a vast, enormous ble point for everyone on the Gran Sas- is breathtaking: the view sweeps 360 ° and unusual landscape. In the summer, so massif, with a wonderful view on the from the peaks of the Gran Sasso to a stop at Fonte Vetica can definitely "Sleeping Giant" and overlooking the those of the Majella and Sirente, from not be missed, as there you will find entire surrounding province up to the the Tirino valley to the Navelli plain. two rest areas not far from each other, blue expanse of our Adriatic sea. After The whole is so fascinating that the selling typical Abruzzese products such the short trip by cableway, you will be Rocca has several times been a film as cheeses and meat: RistoroMucciante immersed in a dolomitic landscape location including "Lady Hawke" (with and Macelleria Giuliani. The peculiarity dominated by the immense and rocky is that the meats purchased, such as walls of the two horns of the Gran “arrosticini” and sausages, can imme- Sasso. From here start different routes diately be cooked on large barbeques for all tastes, hikings, mountain biking SANTO STEFANO DI SESSANIO specially set up for clients and then eat trails, climbing, all of different levels of The road continues up to Santo Stefa- mountain village of medieval times sitting on benches and tables arranged difficulty. In particular, a well-marked no di Sessanio, the homeland of lentils. built entirely of white limestone. In around the restaurants. A sort of street trail will take you to the “Rifugio What is produced in Santo Stefano recent years, it has captured the atten- food in picnic mode! Franchetti” in about 1.5 hours, where belongs to a rare and ancient quality tion of Italians and tourists thanks to a stop to taste the typical dishes is a that is grown only on high altitude soils the initiative of a Swedish entrepreneur must. In winter these routes are recom- between 1,200 and 1,450 meters. In who has restructured, preserving the mended only to experienced climbers. addition to its taste, it is appreciated for aesthetics of the village and the terri- its ease of preservation and cooking. tory, many abandoned houses in the From the Prati di Tivo forecourt Santo Stefano di Sessanio is a small historic center thus creating a "wide- WALKING ITINERARIES In addition to the high-altitude trails leading to the , Mount Gorzano and the highest peaks, which can only safely be traveled in the sum- mer, you can experience excursions of various difficulty in the Park.

In fact, there are hundreds of marked Some recommended walking routes: trails, created with the contribution Through the “Gole del Salinello” of the Italian Alpine Club, which also Departure: Borgo di Ripe (611m) include wide-ranging itineraries, such Travel time: 2.15 hours as the Gran Sasso Horse Trail and Difficulty: E – Excursion (EE if detour the Italian Path. There are also scenic through S.FrancescoalleScalelle) walks, foothills walks between medieval Difference in level: 500m villages and olive groves and numerous thematic itineraries leading to hermit- From “Prati di Tivo” to the “Corno ages, water mills, waterfalls, springs, Grande” castles and necropolises. Many of these Departure: Prati di Tivo (1465 m) routes are also possible in spring and Arrival: Corno Grande autumn, while some can be faced even Travel time: 2.45 hours in winter, when the presence of snow Difficulty: E – Excursion Excursions however requires to wear crampons or Difference in level: 910 m skis. Recommended: from July to September HORSE RIDING TRAILS BIKE ROUTES The nearest starting point from Emidio The same route of the horse trail seaside passing through Pepe is at Prati di Tivo with a marked Ippovia of the Gran Sasso d'Italia (320 and (both departing from trail that arrives to Rigopiano in 7 km) can also be covered by mountain Sant'Omero and returning from Cor- hours. But alsoother stables, closer to bike. There are numerous cycle paths ropoli to get back to Torano Nuovo). Torano Nuovo, offer the possibility of that pass through evocative landscapes, Distance: 92.7 km (complete route) horseback riding in scenic cliff paths. connecting several neighboring moun- Type: road tain villages (including , Background: asphalt Recommended horse route: Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Campotosto, Calascio, Prati di Tivo, ). Santo Stefano di Sessanio – Calascio From Prati di Tivo to Rigopiano route Departure: Prati di Tivo Also the area surrounding Torano Nuo- Length: 6,7 km Arrival: Rigopiano vo is full of cycle paths of different Difference in level: 125 m Travel time: 7 hours difficulty and length, both for mountain Ceiling: 1342 m Length: 35 km bikes and asphalt. Backround: 70% natural, 30% asphalt Difference in level: uphill 1350 m – Travel time: approximately 2 hours, downhill 1600 m Route of the Vibrata Valley roundtrip The Gran Sasso is home to the larg- Hilly path that winds through some of Difficulty: Easy est and most extensive horse trail of the most beautiful centers of the Vibra- Italy that measures 320 km crossing ta valley: from the sea to the mountains incredible natural and cultural beau- along the Vibrata stream and the Salino ties, enchanting mountain villages and river. It is also possible to shorten breathtaking landscapes. the route and follow it only from the Several stables offer the opportunity to mountain side passing through Ci- take walks along part of the route. vitella del Tronto or only from the SHOPPING The finest cashmere and the finest garments are produced by the historic knitwear firm Gran Sasso of Sant'Egid- ioallaVibrata, an icon of cashmere made in Italy. Just a few minutes away by car you can reach the shop where new collections and unique items can be found. Re-Hash, a young, innovative and careful brand that produces quality sartorial jeans. Its shop a few miles from us. Tod's, Fay, Prada, Santoni fac- tory stores just 70 km from the Agrit- urismoEmidio Pepe. At the center of the Marche footwear district lies the production houses of the most famous international brands and attentive handicraft productions, where they study, create and give life to the prototypes of bags and shoes that dictate the fashion trends all over the Handcrafted cashmere production at the Gran Sasso knitwear factory in Sant'Egidio world. Visible and open all week for the alla Vibrata (TE) most exclusive purchases and for very convenient occasions.