Location: Province of L'Aquila
Top Things to do in Province of L'Aquila
Top Restaurants in Province of L'Aquila
Top 10 Things to do in Province of L'Aquila, Italy
The Province of L'Aquila (Provincia dell'Aquila) is the largest, most mountainous and least densely populated province of the Abruzzo region of Southern Italy. It comprises about half the landmass of Abruzzo and occupies the western part of the region. It has borders with the provinces of Teramo to the north, Pescara and Chieti to the east, Isernia (in Molise region) to the south and Frosinone, Rome and Rieti (in Lazio region) to the west. Its capital is the city of L'Aquila. The Province of L'Aquila includes the highest mountains of the Apennines (Gran Sasso, Maiella and Velino-Sirente), their highest peak, Corno Grande, the high plain of Campo Imperatore, and Europe's southernmost glacier, the Calderone. The province's major rivers are the Aterno-Pescara, Sangro, Liri, Salto, and the Turano; its major lakes are Lago Scanno and Lago Barrea. It once included the largest lake on the Italian peninsula, Lago Fucino, which was drained in one of the 19th century's largest engineering projects. The lake basin is today a flourishing agricultural area and an important technological district.
Restaurants in Province of L'Aquila
1. Il Castello di Rocca Calascio
Overall Ratings
5 based on 98 reviews
Reviewed By alex4777 - Purmerend, The Netherlands
This is a fantastic place to be. We visited around 14:00pm in summer. Very hot but at this altitude(1400m) the wind is refreshing cool. The place is absolutely fabulous to be, the old ruins in the mountain scenere. Even if the light (high sun) was not fantastic, the place makes it all good.
Tip: you can drive to aprox 10min walk from the scene. Park at the end of the road and follow the path. With walking shoes it's more fun to stroll around. On sandals keep the path first leading to the church di Santa Maria della Piete and than climb slowly up to the castle. (Same way back).
2. Rocca Calascio
Overall Ratings
5 based on 957 reviews
Reviewed By alex4777 - Purmerend, The Netherlands
This is a must see and easy (half) day trip from l'aquilla. Even during daytime it's impressive to see the church and the mountain scenery on the background. Around sunrise/ sunset I assume the light is even better for photographs. We visited during midday, but it still was worth a visit. Tip: bring your walking shoes. With sandals it can be done, like me, but i regret not put on my walking boots.
Location can easily be reached by car which you can park at the end of the road for a 10min hike.
3. Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio
Overall Ratings
5 based on 445 reviews
Reviewed By Eli B - Sydney, Australia
Before the Cathedral here's some local magic to experience. I wish i could read L'Aquila blindfolded so as not to see the elevated motorways that surround and almost suffocate the city.
Remember the number '99.' No, not the agent Maxwell Smart kind, but for everything that this town commemorates.... its founders, rivers city wards, squares, churches and 99 peals of Reatinella bell, sounded after sunset to signal the closing of the city's four gates.
Get this, there are 99 spouts coming out of the 3rd century Fontana della 99 Cannelle, the city's best-known symbol and monument. Visitors cannot spend their entire time swooning by the waters of the spouts, so a visit to the basilica de Santa Maria di collemaggio, built in 1287 is a must. The facade is magnificent, characterised stunningly by striated white& pink hewn stone and three 5th century portals. Its not only showy but is a Gothic- Romanesque masterpiece. There are artisanal masterpieces as well in the form of lace and ceramics of exceptional beauty.
The city is like a hollow surrounded by the Mountains of the Gran Sasso which traces the crest of the Apennines. We have walked small sections and love the flora and fauna, as well as town centres like Amatrice with preserved artistic works from the 13th-16th centuries, Arququata de Tronto, a medieval village dominated by its fortress, while in Colle charcoal burning is still in use. What pollution, you say? Further afield, Campli is home to the Necropolis and Civitella del Tronto which has a superb fortress. Do make the track out to the pathway that crosses the fascinating Salinello Gorges. We loved it.
4. Basilica di San Bernardino
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 175 reviews
Reviewed By tpbel - Belfast
Thus church survived the earthquake while all the buildings around it suffered. St. Bernard who rests here is said to have provided protection. Whatever the explanation, the preservation of the beautiful interior and exquisite roof is a joy to see. Don't miss.
5. San Domenico Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 151 reviews
Reviewed By Gabriele S - Rome, Italy
On the way to Scanno this small artifical lake with favolous colours ... you can have a stop for a picnic or for a walk in the bush (you can arrive up to villalago). Have a break here.
6. Riserva Naturale Zompo lo Schioppo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 119 reviews
Reviewed By DairaRoma - Roma
Abbiamo visitato questo posto bellissimo che si trova in abruzzo ad agosto.
Percorso semplice adatto a tutti, noi avevamo anche il cane.
Molto ombreggiato grazie agli splendidi alberi e fresco per il fiume e la cascata che si trovano all'interno del percorso.
Il prezzo per entrare è di 2€ a persona.
7. Santo Stefano di Sessanio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 715 reviews
Reviewed By Grandview301 - Melbourne
This stunning village sits 1200m above sea level at the foot of the tallest mountain range in Abruzzo. Despite loads of scaffolding as they undertake continued repairs after earthquakes back in 2009, the village is so old and beautiful. A Swedish-Italian millionaire agreed to finance the restorations back in 1999 on the agreement that no new buildings would be permitted and no concrete could be used. Hence what he has protected is a village that looks/feels like what it must have been like back in the day when mules and horses were the only means of transport. As you wander around there is always something that beckons you to go further, or go through a small crack between buildings to see what secret lies beyond.
Do visit!
8. Grotte di Pietrasecca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 126 reviews
Reviewed By Antonio C - San Vito Chietino, Italy
Esperienza molto bella per grandi e bambini...dopo un breve percorso a piedi si arriva all'ingresso della grotta che è "poco" turistica, nel senso che non c'è un percorso cementato, si cammina nella grotta.
Un tappeto di moquette indica il percorso veramente bello, altra caratteristica è l'uso dei caschi con lampade, gioia dei bambini.
molto bella l'esperienza del "silenzio-bui", quando la guida chiede di spegnere le lampade e di stare in silenzio per assaporare sensazioni nuove...il buio pesto e il silenzio!
Consigliamo questa esperienza.
9. Borgo antico
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By Giustino M - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Entering in the Ancient Borgo of Pescocostanzo is like entering History, from a page back in the past. You will find suddenly yourself walking on stones which were handcrafted and ordered 600-700 hundreds years before, or even more, because it seems that the origins of Pescocostanzo date back to the Xth century, although a new momentum for its development came after the heart-quake of 1456. Pescocostanzo is a pearl in the region, and what you see today is the heritage of the skills, of the culture and genius of the people who lived there for centuries, and who evidently mastered several fields of human knowledge, including specialistic craftsmanship. You may see everywhere in the Ancient Borgo the products of these skills, and in particular in Basilica di Santa Maria del Colle, which seems dating back to the XIVth century.
You can be really seduced by the Ancient Pescocostanzo, finding in it what gives you a feeling of peace without time, and subtle fulfillment. You may question yourself about what has made a place like this: which circumstances, which people, which folds of History. The actual inhabitants love decorating the balconies, the stairs, the outside of their houses with flowers, which add fresh colours to the place. Walking around you will meet the words " Sui Domina", and you will be curious about their meaning. They are part of a motto, which tells enough about the place where you are. I don't want to disclose more; it is part of your discovery. Enjoy the place.
10. Centro Visita Daini
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 297 reviews
Reviewed By Muggia1946 - Tel Aviv, Israel
This a nice small place not far from lake Scanno.
Local deers are kept and grown here, in order to protect them. They are not caught from the Wilderness, but rather brought from specialized farms. The host is very friendly and explains in Italian about the life of this endangered animal.
Children may approach the deers, touch and feed them.
Great experience for the kids and worth a trip with lake Scanno.
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