Aielli: Street Art, Gorge and History

Aielli combines a rich cultural offering with a striking mountain landscape: Borgo Universo began as a festival for street art and astronomy, while the Gole di Aielli-Celano were shaped by thousands of years of erosion by the La Foce stream. Churches, festival traditions and a route through the solar system complete the picture. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Aielli, you can consider whether culture, art or nature should be the focus of your trip.

Street Art and Astronomy in Aielli

Borgo Universo began in 2017 as a festival for street art and astronomy. Today, it comprises an open-air museum with more than 50 works, including murals, sculptures and installations. The artworks are spread across Aielli’s streets, squares and public spaces. Alongside murals, sculptures and installations are also part of the overall artistic landscape.

The Tour dei Murales is a guided walk through the open-air museum. Local guides from the Cooperativa di Comunità La Maesa accompany the tour. Another way to explore astronomy awaits you at the Torre delle Stelle: there, a nature-immersed route represents the solar system at a scale of one to one billion. Borgo Universo and the route offer different focal points: art in public spaces on the one hand, and the solar system as the theme of a nature trail on the other.

You can reserve visits to the Torre delle Stelle by first consulting the event calendar and then sending a request via WhatsApp. Factor this process into your plans if you would like to make a visit to the Torre an important part of your trip.

Churches, Medieval Layout and Festival Traditions

The Chiesa della Santissima Trinità is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. It was built between 1477 and 1479 at the behest of Count Antonio Piccolomini di Celano. The Chiesa di San Rocco was built in 1546 as a funerary church and dedicated to Saint Roch, who was venerated as a protector against the plague. The church also preserves a 16th-century fresco of the Madonna del Buon Consiglio.

The dates of construction give the two churches different historical reference points: the Santissima Trinità dates from the late 15th century, while San Rocco was built in 1546. Porta Montanara also points to Aielli’s medieval history. The gate was part of the walled complex connecting the medieval Burgo with the Castello on the summit.

The Madonna della Vittoria festival is part of local tradition. It has been held on the first Sunday in July for about 20 years; previously, it was celebrated on May 10. If you would like to combine your trip with this festival, the difference between the current date and the former date is a useful point to keep in mind when planning.

The Gole di Aielli-Celano and the Mountain Area

The Gole di Aielli-Celano were shaped by thousands of years of erosion by the La Foce stream. The walls of the gorge reach several hundred metres in height. The entrance on Aielli’s side leads into a 4.5-kilometre stretch of gorge, which is accessible from June to October. Part of Aielli’s mountain area lies within the Parco Naturale Regionale Sirente-Velino.

Free online reservations are required to access the Gole from May 24 to October 31. The permitted directions are from La Foce to Val d'Arano or from Val d'Arano to La Foce; each direction has a daily limit of 80 people. When planning, take into account both the period when the gorge route is accessible and the reservation period for access.

Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests

Aielli offers a range of interests that may influence your choice of holiday apartment and travel dates. For a culturally focused trip, Borgo Universo, the guided Tour dei Murales, the churches and festival traditions are the main attractions. If you are primarily interested in visiting the Gole, the period when they are accessible and the access rules will determine your plans.

Discover more destinations: Prezza, Ovindoli, Mascioni, Monticchio, Colle Farelli, Roccaraso, Paganica, Rocca Pia

For the broader travel overview: L-Aquila.