Coppito among Frescoes, Castles and Nature Park

Coppito combines sacred art, archaeological traces and a distinctive history of the village.

Natural Setting, Location and Getting There

Murata Gigotti Nature Park is located in the centre of Coppito and therefore provides a clear reference point for finding your way around the village. Those wishing to combine walks with historical discoveries can plan their stay around these two themes without reducing Coppito to just one aspect. Another distinctive landscape and historical trace leads to Poppleto: the ancient village originated as a Lombard castle and is situated on a small rocky outcrop along the Vetorio River.

For getting there, the Regionale link service is relevant. It connects L'Aquila railway station by bus with the Polo Universitario di Coppito and operates from Monday to Saturday. As no departure times are given, this does not allow for any specific day planning. Nevertheless, the connection can be a practical point of reference when choosing your accommodation if you want to reach Coppito without travelling by car all the way.

Churches, Frescoes and Archaeological Traces

At the entrance to the village stands San Pietro Apostolo, also known as Madonna delle Grazie. The ancient church dates back to the 13th century, has a rectangular floor plan and three semicircular apses at the rear. A delicately executed fresco depicting the Nativity was also found in San Pietro Apostolo; it is attributed to Saturnino Gatti. For travellers interested in culture, San Pietro Apostolo thus combines architecture and sacred art with the history of the village.

Villa B del Santo Padre also points to an earlier past. During excavations, a child burial lined with roof tiles was discovered in one of its rooms. The Roman villa is located within the Guardia di Finanza barracks in Coppito. The excavation points to the Roman history of the village.

On the summit of Colle Macchione, the monumental remains of the former Madonna delle Grazie monastery are visible. At the castle on the hill, the Counts of Poplito lived during the time of Frederick of Swabia. Nearby, the Colle Macchione Cross also commemorates rural devotional art: it was erected in April 1971 on a small rocky rise along the road to the Madonna delle Grazie church.

Tradition as a Special Reason to Travel

During the traditional Madonna delle Grazie celebration, the Tuesday after Easter is dedicated to the commemoration of Mary. This includes a procession with the statue of Madonna delle Grazie through the streets of the old village of Coppito that were passable at the time. If you are travelling with your family and would like to discover local customs in addition to the landscape and architectural history, this celebration provides a distinct cultural focus.

Coppito therefore remains a versatile destination for travellers who wish to use their holiday apartment as a base for personal discoveries.

Other Places to Consider When Planning Your Trip

If you would like to compare other places in addition to Coppito, here is a concise selection: Campotosto, Pietransieri, Capestrano, Collarmele, Roccacasale, Roccaraso, Rivisondoli and Scurcola Marsicana.

For the broader travel overview: L-Aquila.