Location: Sulmona
Top Things to do in Sulmona
Top 10 Things to do in Sulmona, Italy
Sulmona (Latin: Sulmo; Greek: Σουλμῶν, Soulmōn) is a city and comune of the province of L'Aquila in Abruzzo, Italy. It is located in the Valle Peligna, a plateau once occupied by a lake that disappeared in prehistoric times. In the ancient era, it was one of the most important cities of the Paeligni and is known for being the native town of Ovid of whom there is a bronze statue in the Piazza XX Settembre, located on the town's main road which is named after him.
Restaurants in Sulmona
1. Centro Storico di Sulmona
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 362 reviews
Reviewed By Grandview301 - Melbourne
Everything you need is right there on Corso Ovidio!
During our 1 week stay there was a night market offering food, shoes, clothing, hardware, kitchenware etc....
We were fortunate our stay coincided with Piano Piano. All the piazzas along Corso Ovidio had either music videos, jazz, classical music, dualing pianos etc....
Passiegiatta is something to embrace and partake in. It is all happening on Corso Ovidio!!!!
2. Eremo di Sant'Onofrio al Morrone
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 101 reviews
Reviewed By Nunziata - Boston
Opened once again in 2014 after sustaining damage during the 2009 Earthquake in L'Aquila, this hermitage, seemingly attached to the side of Morrone Mountain, is a must see. This is really a 13th century monastic complex built into a series of mountain grottoes; Besides the obviously visible sanctuary there is a cave retreat thought to be the mountain refuge of Pietro di Morrone, Pope Celestine V. It was in this place that Pietro received the news that he was elevated to Pope on July 5, 1294; he then served Mass in nearby Sulmona and received the Papal Tiara in L'Aquila.
Follow the corridors that wind through the complex, and enjoy the astonishing views!
To arrive, follow the signs to the parking area below the hermitage. There is a short and slightly challenging climb to the complex, and you will want to wear a pair of sturdy walking shoes or light trekking boots.
3. Maiella Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 102 reviews
Reviewed By DM66 - Co. Down
We visited Caraminico specifically to go walking in the Orfento Valley Nature Reserve. Having visited the Information Office in town we followed the Santa Croce - Scalelle/Ponte di Caraminico walk on the recommedation of the young lady working there.
This walk follows a path down into a ravine and then follows alongside the Orfento river. The path down and up out again is quite steep so you would need to be moderately fit; however the walk took about one hour in total.
You have to sign in at the Information Office with some form of identification but entry is free and well worth a visit.
4. Acquedotto Medievale
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By KTGP - Adelaide, Australia
Situated near Piazza Garibaldi is the wonderful mediaeval aqueduct, built in 1256, it has 21 arches and is 100 metres long. It is by no means as big and imposing as a lot of other aqueducts, nor is it as old. Then you stop and think, not as old? It is 760 years old, by any account that is old. Grab yourself a gelato, sit near the arch of the aqueduct and take in the view of snow capped Mountains, (there was still snow in April), which serve as a backdrop to the aqueduct.
5. Pelino Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 154 reviews
Reviewed By baredd - United Kingdom
We came across this by chance. This is the place to buy your confetti and the flowers are amazing!
Museum is interesting and nice place to visit but isn't a must see. Well presented and good detail but very little English so be prepared to read a lot of Italian.
6. Complesso dell'Annunziata
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
Reviewed By Clara1953 - Eastern Canada
Sulmona, a quaint little town in Abruzzo, boasts a wonderful church dedicated to the Annunciation. Built in the romanesque style, its interiors are absolutely beautiful. Its organ, in particular, is worth seeing. One can also admire several frescos. Worth dropping by.
7. Servizi Turistici Sulmona
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
Services organized tourist guides and tourist information.
Reviewed By oldsue - Winchester, United Kingdom
Popped in here to get some ideas for things to do and see. Exrtremely helpful - we struggled a bit with my very limited Italian and their halting English but they tried (and succeeded) to explain things to us.
8. Abbazia di Santo Spirito al Morrone
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By MarilynAcq - California
and, while you might think it is the history, the story of the Eremo, the scenery, the art, the tranquil spot, the wood paneled farmacia (pharmacy) room, it truly is one of the guides...Novelia Giannantonio.....not only will she tour you through the Abbazia, but you will learn more about Sulmona and the surrounding areas.
9. Piazza XX Settembre
Overall Ratings
4 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By Whatbob - Glasgow, United Kingdom
This is one of the main squares of the city but is a lovely spot and well worth seeing, There is a a bronze statue of the Roman poet Ovid.- one of the 2 famous ones and good to have seen.
10. Piazza Garibaldi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By KTGP - Adelaide, Australia
Piazza Garibaldi is a huge piazza with many wonderful things running around its perimeter, the following is a small sample of what can be found -
Mediaeval aqueduct, built in 1256, it has 21 arches and is 100 metres long.
Fontana del Vecchio, built 1474. It is said perhaps the Fountain depicts Solimo, the founder of Sulmona.
Chiesa di San Filippo Neri, built 17th century with a 1315 Gothic façade. The original façade was left incomplete and the Gothic facade belonged to Sant’Agostino built 1315, the church was damaged in an earthquake in 1706 and in the 1880’s it was decided to save the façade and transfer it to Chiesa di San Filippo Neri before it collapsed.
Chiesa di San Rocco built 15th century.
Santa Chiara Church and Monastery, built 1260. The church as it looks now was rebuilt in 1711 after an earthquake in 1706. The Clarisse nuns at the monastery by the 15th century were the primary confectionery makers in Sulmona. The confetti, (sugar coated almonds), which Sulmona is renowned for, may have been thanks to the nuns, as they were responsible for making confetti into an art form, making confetti rosaries, flowers, fruit etc.
Fontana di Piazza Garibaldi built 1823.
Chiesa di San Francesco della Scarpa “Rotonda”, has steps leading to a gate with six columns and five pillars forming an arch and above the arch is a 16th century fresco.
Gelateria la Rotonda, sells the best gelato.
Have great memories of joining the locals sitting on the steps near the Rotonda, eating gelato from Gelateria la Rotonda and looking across Piazza Garibaldi with snow capped Mountains in the background, (we were there in May). For a slight change of scenery, grab a different flavoured gelato, (always difficult knowing which flavour to get and you can never have too much) and sit on the steps near the aqueduct, those Mountains never get boring.
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