Montorio Al A perfect combination “Gateway” and “showcase”. Montorio is the perfect combination of these two aspects. It is the gateway to the “Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga” (Gran Sasso and Laga Mountains National Park) and starting point for the “Strada Maestra del Parco” (Main Road of the Park) evocative itinerary running through the old Strada Statale 80 connecting to L’Aquila through the Capanelle way. As a “showcase”, Montorio shows the beauty of the Teramo mountains and it is keen to offer it to all travelers. Montorio amazes visitors with the enduring signs of its history. Here nature and art merge, disclosing the proud spirit of the town, which is a legacy of the noble and powerful families who used to rule it. Montorio Settore B5 - Servizio Turismo: Director Piergiorgio Tittarelli Guide creation & co-ordination: Patrizia Crocetti, Daniela Di Dionisio Text: Salvatore Scappucci - Translation: inlingua Teramo Graphics: Maurizio Mancini Print: AGP Arti Grafiche Picene al Vomano Cover photo: M. Anselmi The Gateway to the Park

Abruzzo’s Mountain tastes and treasures The Capuchins Convent Powerful noble families, brigands and illu- Carlo fort ordered by Spanish viceroys at the embellish the main square. The church known as Medieval portal strious characters. end of the 1600s. The decision was made with “chiesa degli Zoccolanti” and the Capuchin

Ph. M. Anselmi Montorio, from the Latin “Mons Aureus” - Gol- the main purpose of hosting troops who were convent are well worth seeing. The first one, Ph. M. Anselmi den Mount - lies on the left bank of the river supposed to suppress the banditry that was a also called “Chiesa dell’Immacolata Concezio- Vomano to which its name and history are con- very common phenomenon in the Teramo pro- ne”, had its last renovation in the 18th century nected. It is very likely that Montorio was built vince at the time. Nevertheless works were never but its origins are much older. Although its inte- over an extant pre- Roman settlement of “Beretra finished and brigands kept opposing the King- rior structure is very simple with a single nave, or Beregra”. The remains of a temple dedica- dom of Naples. it is rich with many beautiful objects such as a ted to Hercules attest to its Roman origins. During the Risorgimento (Resurgence) this lit- painted wooden pipe organ, five decorated sto- From the Middle Ages, Montorio al Vomano was tle town’s patriotic attitude concurred with the ne altars, a wooden statute of Mary Immaculate a very desirable fief. It was under the control of Unification of . A glorious past, testified to and an exceptional painting of a penitent San- many powerful families who promoted cultural by illustrious characters such as Vittoria Cam- ta Margherita. The Capuchin convent and its relationships with the major cities of Italy like Ve- poneschi, mother of the Pope Paul IV and Mel- church of Santa Maria della Salute are both nice, Bologna, Rome and Naples. chiorre Delfico, one of the most enlightened spartan and simple. The convent is now derelict the Teramo cuisine come together with the local In the 14th century the town became a fief of intellectuals of his time. but the church holds four chapels with wooden ones. Tasty roasted trout and for dessert “pizza the Camponeschi de L’Aquila family who altars and valued canvases with the picture of dolce montoriese” (Montorio’s cake) and the ir- ruled it until early 1500s. Despite its loyalty to Three hills, an evocative amphitheater and the Madonna della Salute and Saints Stephan resistible “bocconotti”. the Aragonese family, Montorio took part in the history. and Lorenz. A very original event is the “Carnevale morto” “conspiracy of barons”. Because of the ever- Montorio al Vomano has an original structure Other remarkable monuments are the church of (literally dead carnival), an ancient festivity taking increasing taxes, local lords rose up against the resembling an amphitheater developing on th- San Filippo Neri, the “cona” of “Madonna del place on Ash Wednesday celebrating the funeral crown. The proud attitude of the population is ree hills: Santa Giusta, San Carlo and Santa Ponte”, the remains of Forte San Carlo and of of the Carnival in a satirical way. testified to also by the construction of theSan Lucia. the Fonte Vecchia, an old washhouse made of In the summertime there is the “Congiura dei Amongst the streets of its historical center it is stone. baroni”, an historical reenactment of the battle possible to admire the magnificence of its mo- of 1486, and “La Vetrina del Parco”, a festival numents. On piazza Orsini (Orsini square), the Protected natural areas, tasty dishes and to promote the territory and its local products. heart of the town, there is the Collegiata di San the traditional STÙ. Another unmissable event is the Sagra delle Rocco (16th century). While its facade is very Before discovering the cuisine’s delights, we Trota (Trout Festival) in November, while Decem- simple its sumptuous interior holds precious suggest you wet your appetite with a short excur- ber is dedicated to the “STÙ in Piazza”. The wooden altars and fine canvases picturing the sion to discover Montorio’s many districts. There STU’ is a traditional parlor game: forty cards with Resurrection of Christ and the Last Supper. is the noble Leofara, Villa Brozzi with its church original images enliven people from Montorio’s Overlooking the main square there is the church of Santa Maria di Brecciano, Cusciano with matches while they play using jokes and colorful of Sant’Antonio, next to the 14th century San the church of Santa Lucia and Schiaviano with dialect expressions. Montorio Francesco convent. The church was built in the the Madonna della Sgrima. 15th century and it holds a beautiful “acuqua- If you prefer nature you will want to take a walk Info & Contacts santiera” (stoop) and a great number of wooden in the “Parco territoriale attrezzato Fiume Comune di Montorio al Vomano Al Vomano furnishings: a crucifix, two statues, a nice bo- Vomano”. This itinerary takes you to the temple Via Duca degli Abruzzi oth for confessions. The palazzo marchesale of Hercules and shows you a very interesting Tel. 0861.5021 - Fax 0861.592509 The “Zoccolanti” cloister Camponeschi Carafa and the Old University ecosystem. As a bonus the delicious dishes of www.comune.montorio.te.it