Casalincontrada: Rammed-earth houses and local history

Casalincontrada combines the history of building with unfired earth with striking evidence of the town’s past. The hilly town in the Val Pescara area of the Province of Chieti is particularly suitable for travellers who want to combine their stay with culture, traditional houses and regional festivals. Those looking for a holiday apartment can therefore choose Casalincontrada as a base for a trip with a special focus on rammed-earth architecture and local traditions.

Rammed-earth houses and insights into residential culture

A central place for this subject is Villa De Lollis. It is the birthplace of Cesare De Lollis and the home of the Centro di Documentazione Permanente sulle Case di Terra. The centre documents local knowledge about building with Massone, a mixture of earth and straw. At the villa, visitors can view the original living quarters, furnishings, personal belongings and Cesare De Lollis’s library.

Casa di Teresa also illustrates traditional building methods. The two-storey Massone house has a kitchen and a stable on the ground floor, as well as two bedrooms upstairs. A permanent exhibition is dedicated to building techniques using clay or unfired earth. There is no admission charge to enter Casa di Teresa; information about opening hours is available directly from the institution.

Historical traces in the town

The town’s history includes several buildings from different periods, featuring a range of details. The Arco d'ingresso dates from the 14th century and is considered an important architectural and historical element of the town. A stone Madonna and Child from the 15th century stands on the gate. The Porta di Cerretone has a limestone tympanum with floral motifs and depictions of animals.

In the old town centre stands La Cisterna, a 16th-century cistern beside the former church of San Domenico. It once served as a water reservoir. The Chiesa Santa Maria della Pietà, formerly San Domenico, dates from the 14th century. Outside this immediate historical context stands the 16th-century Chiesetta dell'Iconicella, located at the confluence of old Tratturo branches. Those interested in churches, gates and traditional architectural forms can include these various examples in their own travel plans.

Circular route and festivals centred on rammed-earth architecture

The circular route Il percorso delle case di terra allows visitors to see several restored unfired-earth houses. Accompanied by the owners and custodians, visitors can enter the houses and learn about their stories. This makes the circular route a special choice for anyone who wants not only to see façades, but also to gain a closer understanding of historic residential life and building methods.

The events calendar also places a strong focus on regional traditions. The Sagra della Marrocca takes place every year, usually in the third week of July. Each September, it is followed by the Festa della Terra, founded in 1996. For one week, it features seminars, practical workshops, photo exhibitions, conferences and elements of a folk festival centred on healthy, sustainable and regional building with unfired earth.

A suitable base for culture enthusiasts

When looking for a holiday apartment in Casalincontrada, it is worth prioritising your travel objectives in advance: should the trip focus mainly on the town’s historic features, the rammed-earth houses, the circular route or one of the festivals? The attractions mentioned place different emphases and enable travel planning that combines culture, architecture and regional events. Opening hours and specific visiting opportunities should be clarified directly with the relevant institution for the date in question.

If you would then like to discover more places, here is a selection: Carunchio, Treglio, Filetto, Lido Di Casalbordino, Monteodorisio, San Salvo, Casalbordino and Tornareccio.

For the broader travel overview: Chieti.