Discover Lucoli Alto: Abbey, Chapels and Tradition

Lucoli Alto combines secluded landscapes with an impressive religious history. San Giovanni Battista Abbey stands in a forest-surrounded setting between the inhabited districts of Spogna, Collimento and Lucoli Alto. The chapels are located in different places: the Sant’Antonio Chapel is situated on an unpaved road between Collimento and Lucoli Alto, Madonna di Peschio Cancelli at the foot of the rock known as “il Peschio”, and Madonna Immacolata in the small wood known as “Ju Cerqueto” around the abbey. Traditional religious customs and a described hiking route complement these cultural discoveries. If you are planning a trip combining culture, quiet discoveries and distinctive local traditions, Lucoli Alto offers several different points of interest for this purpose.

San Giovanni Battista Abbey and Its Surroundings

The origins of San Giovanni Battista Abbey date back to 1077. The building was originally a Benedictine monastery and was converted into a collegiate church in the mid-15th century. The abbey stands in a secluded, forest-surrounded setting between the inhabited districts of Spogna, Collimento and Lucoli Alto. This means that the site can be experienced not only through its historical significance, but also through its landscape character.

On one side of the façade there is an entrance door leading to the lower cloister and the convent. There is a lower colonnade as well as an upper one lined with the monks’ cells. For visitors interested in culture, this reveals details that go beyond the abbey’s external appearance. Those who value a peaceful setting and historic destinations when choosing a holiday apartment can consider Lucoli Alto as a base for appropriately themed days away.

Chapels Between Rock and Forest

Several smaller religious buildings complete the picture. The Sant’Antonio Chapel lies on an unpaved road between Collimento and Lucoli Alto. Inside, there is an altar with a painting of Saint Anthony of Padua, devotional images and other religious objects. On 13 June, the feast day of Saint Anthony of Padua, Mass is celebrated there on the initiative of the inhabitants of Lucoli Alto.

The Madonna di Peschio Cancelli Chapel was built in 1857 at the foot of a rock known as “il Peschio”. It is set into the rock, which is now used for climbing. Another distinctive feature is the Madonna Immacolata Chapel in a small wood known as “Ju Cerqueto” around San Giovanni Battista Abbey. Its small Marian altar depicts the Virgin with the Child Jesus, crowned by twelve stars. The Annunciation and the Pietà are depicted on either side. These motifs make the chapels interesting destinations for anyone wishing to discover religious art and regional history in relatively quiet surroundings.

Hiking Route and Local Customs

A hiking route described by the Club Alpino Italiano leads downhill to the road to Lucoli Alto and then continues into the town. Upon arrival, a large fountain washhouse is located on the right-hand side. Such concrete landmarks provide an illustrative framework for planning your trip without requiring you to limit your stay to a single type of sightseeing.

A special tradition is the Fiaccolata di San Michele Arcangelo. The Amici di San Michele di Vado Lucoli association has organised it together with the parish priest for more than ten years. The event begins with Mass in the small church on the hill and then continues downhill with a torchlight procession. The procession returns to the square in Vado Lucoli, where an effigy representing the past year is burned in a bonfire. Anyone wishing to experience such community traditions should specifically coordinate their travel dates with the relevant event dates.

Lucoli Alto as a Place to Stay

When searching for a holiday apartment in Lucoli Alto, you can align your travel dates with your main focus: for a stay connected with a local tradition, take the relevant event date into account; otherwise, choose the period based on the cultural destinations you would like to discover.

If you would also like to consider other destinations for your trip planning, here is a concise selection: Sant'Eusanio Forconese, Cocullo, Scurcola Marsicana, Scontrone, Introdacqua, Ovindoli, Cerchio and Pratola Peligna.

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