Civitella Alfedena

Civitella, at over one thousand meters of altitude, situated along the path that connected Pescasseroli to Candela, preserves the typical structure of the medieval Apennine settlements. From the houses leaning against each other, the ancient center of the village proposes narrow and winding alleys and historic buildings dating back to the '600 and the' 700.

The oldest building in Civitella is the medieval cylindrical tower, dating back to the 1400s, and just around the tower, at Christmas time, there is an exhibition of a paper Nativity, which is certainly worth a visit. Among the main architectural features of the ancient village, in the historic center there are: the Church of San Nicola di Bari, a national monument dating back to the 17th century, the Sanctuary of Santa Lucia, the Fonte, an ancient public wash, and the Saettèra, a sighting tower of sixteenth-century construction, located in a strategic position overlooking the valley used to defend the village against brigands.

The typical local products of this village are combined with old local recipes that are faithful to tradition: from homemade egg pasta, including guitars with pecoraia, to meat dishes such as mixed roast cooked over embers of wood to the most rare orapi soup, wild spinach, and beans, and gnocchetti made with water, flour. Pecorino and sheep's milk ricotta, cow's caciocavallo cheese and Marzollina, a rare goat's cheese, are some of the local excellences, apart from millefiori honey. 

Among the desserts, those with almonds and Ratafià, the liquor made with cherries, black cherries or quince. To celebrate the local gastronomic tradition, every year, in August, the "scrupella" festival is held in Civitella. That is a fried cake made from leavened dough with eggs, flour, anise seeds, salt and pepper, prepared by the women of the village and symbolizing abundance.

BY CAR

• From the north, take the A14 highway, follow towards Ancona, follow the road towards Rome and continue on the A 25 highway. Exit at Bussi / Popoli, follow the direction of L'Aquila on the A 24, continue on the SS 17, cross Popoli , turn onto the SS 83 towards Alfedena and then to Civitella Alfedena.
• From the South, From the A14 highway, follow the road towards Pescara, at Bari Nord take the A 16 highway and follow the road towards Benevento. Continue for the RA 9 junction and in Benevento take the SS 88, exit towards Campobasso, continue on the SS 17 in the direction of Alfedena and along the SS 83 follow the signs to Civitella Alfedena.
• From L'Aquila, take the SS 17, continue on the SS 5BIS towards Avezzano / Rocca di Mezzo.

ON THE TRAIN

• Alfedena station: Naples - Castel di Sangro - Pescara line
• Avezzano station: Rome - Avezzano - Pescara line

BY BUS

• Regional Public Buses of Abruzzo

BY PLANE

• Pescara airport
• Naples airport
• Rome Ciampino Airport
• Rome Fiumicino Airport

BY SEA

• Tourist port of Pescara
• Port of Naples