Fontecchio: Medieval Village and Nature Experiences

Fontecchio combines a medieval-style town center with nature experiences in Parco Naturale Regionale Sirente Velino. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Fontecchio will find a destination where local history, wildlife observation and trails through a striking landscape can be combined into different daily itineraries.

Discover Historic Fontecchio

The old town center preserves the characteristic features of a medieval village. It was built on remains from Roman times and developed for defensive purposes. One of the defining buildings is the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pace, which was built in the town center between 1080 and 1095. Its interior has the layout of a Latin cross, small side chapels and a dome. Fontecchio therefore offers a tangible way to explore religious and village architectural history without having to experience the town solely through individual sights.

Another distinctive destination is the 15th-century Torre dell'Orologio. Its clock face is divided into six hours and has only a single hand. The tower also houses a permanent photo exhibition about places in the L'Aquila area before and after the 2009 earthquake. The tower thus combines an unusual historical detail with an exhibition addressing regional changes.

Nature Experiences in the Oasi di Fontecchio

The Oasi di Fontecchio is located in the historic center of Fontecchio and in the heart of Parco Naturale Regionale Sirente Velino. The Oasi Naturale di Fontecchio includes a visitor center, wildlife areas, a medieval tannery, a center for the care and rehabilitation of wildlife, a water education trail and a picnic area. Guided tours of the wildlife areas and educational trails are also available. Those who want to combine nature and culture when planning their trip can regard these different areas as individual focal points for a day of their stay.

Trails with Different Levels of Difficulty

One trail through Fontecchio crosses the Ponte delle Pietre, which probably dates from Roman times, and runs along the Aterno River. It combines historical points of interest with a route alongside the water. The trail from Fontecchio to the Pagliare is distinctly different: The route is challenging, 3 kilometers long and has 500 meters of elevation gain. It follows the historic connecting road between the Borgo di Fontecchio and the Pagliare, a small mountain village. This information helps you distinguish, when choosing how to spend your day, between a trail connected to the town and river and a challenging mountain route.

Local Tradition and Further Travel Ideas

On February 3, the Festa di San Biagio festival is celebrated again in Fontecchio. Those planning their stay for this date can gain a tangible insight into a local tradition. For additional destinations and possible additions to your travel plans, you can also find Assergi, Introdacqua, Mascioni, Roccaraso, Rivisondoli, Santi, Tempera and Civita D'antino.

For the higher-level travel overview: L-Aquila.