Caramanico Terme

Caramanico Terme: what to see in the village, traditions and typicality
The first thing to see during a visit to the village of Caramanico Terme is undoubtedly its historic center.
The center of the village, with its predominantly defensive architecture, bears the traces of local history: in fact, it is possible to admire not only the ancient city walls that surround the village, but also the characteristic 'case mura,' or houses built without windows to the outside, precisely to avoid enemy incursions.

Getting lost along the village and crossing the characteristic 'ruelle' (the ancient cobblestone and stone alleys), it is also possible to observe the striking views of the mountains and the natural park, with panoramic views of the Orfento River.
Among the jewels to visit in the center of the town is the ancient Abbey of Santa Maria Maggiore, a 'fortress-church' with a majestic Gothic portal and characterized by the presence - on the main facade - of a valuable high relief by Giovanni Da Lubecca. Also worth visiting is the beautiful Town Hall, located in an 18th-century building in the heart of the historic center.
Also noteworthy are the Church of St. Dominic, dating from the 14th century, with its huge stone lions carved into the rock guarding the entrance, and the Church of St. Nicholas, notable for its facade richly decorated with putti, plant motifs and columns.
A valuable historical element of the center are also the fountains, for example Fonte delle Terme, a work from 1927, which complements the other beautiful 15th-century fountains that grace the center of the town.
A curiosity: from one of these springs, known as "Fonte del Pisciarello," flows a drinking water famous-as can be deduced from its name-for its pronounced diuretic properties.
For those interested in the natural history of the area, an excellent stop is the 'Paolo Barrasso' Naturalistic and Archaeological Museum, a short walk from the town center, which houses naturalistic and historical artifacts from the Orfento valley.

Among the village's oldest folk traditions, Jan. 17 do not miss the feast of St. Anthony Abbot and the related historical and religious re-enactment. In November, on the other hand, Caramanico Terme holds the Bonfire of St. Martin, a traditional rite that marks the arrival of winter and Christmas and colors the entire village with magic.

The thermal baths of Caramanico
The jewel in the village's crown, the famous thermal baths of Caramanico are among the most famous and oldest in all of Italy: some historical documents dating back to 1576 testify that the sulfurous waters of its springs had been used ever since for the treatment of particular illnesses.
In 1901 the actual spa complex "La Salute" was opened, which is still very popular today. In fact, it hosts many people every year, especially those seeking treatment and relief for skin, digestive and respiratory ailments. At the spa, it is also possible to undergo inhalation treatments, nebulizations, mud therapy, and thermal rehabilitation; the facility also has a large Wellness area dedicated to massages and whirlpools, as well as thermal aesthetics, wellness and beauty treatments. And if you don't have time to take a relaxing bath, you can still take a walk inside the Spa Park, in a very picturesque green setting.

What to do around Caramanico Terme
Around Caramanico Terme you can visit the Valle dell'Orfento Nature Reserve, with its canyons and trails, and the Majella National Park. The park has a wealth of itineraries and is suitable for everyone, including families with children. Among its forests it is possible, with a little luck, to admire the wealth of wildlife: wolves, Marsican bears, but also chamois, roe deer, deer and majestic eagles that soar over the landscape.
The park, with its enchanted silence, broken only by the flowing waters of the Orta, is an oasis of peace where one can get lost in search of hermitages, such as that of San Giovanni, set 1220 meters above the rock of the Majella, or that of San Bartolomeo, more easily accessible by starting from the Sentiero dello Spirito.
Finally, for the little ones, there is the Otter Fauna Area in Caramanico Terme, a center that houses several specimens of European otters-a species at risk of extinction-and where it is possible to meet (in small groups and with prior reservation) these splendid animals.