Hidden in the heart of Termoli’s charming Borgo Antico is one of Italy’s most fascinating architectural curiosities: A’ Rejecelle, the narrowest alley in the city, and perhaps in the entire peninsula. At 41 centimeters wide and 7.88 meters long, this tiny alley has won the national record for its size, beating its rival in Ripatransone by a few centimeters.
Carved out among historic buildings that still retain their original materials – cobblestones, sandstone, bricks and wooden beams – A’ Rejecelle dates back to the first settlement of the Termolese village. Once probably covered with arches and tiles, it served as a safe passage for the inhabitants during critical events such as wars, sieges or famines, allowing them to avoid the main streets manned by soldiers.
The name of the alley itself is a curious homage to the French language: from “rue” (street), the Termolians created the dialect term “Rejecelle,” or “little street.”
In addition to its historical and architectural value, the alley is rich in anecdotes and legends: it is said that if two gentlemen crossed each other in the alley, the only way to decide who should give way was to appeal to etiquette… or, in extreme cases, to challenge each other to a duel!
Crossing A’ Rejecelle is a unique experience: a plunge into the most intimate history of the seaside village of Termoli, where every stone tells a story and every corner retains the charm of the past.
