Discover Scanno on Lake Scanno

Scanno combines a distinctive lakeside landscape with a town shaped by its medieval history and a diverse network of trails. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home for their stay can therefore choose between different types of trip: the focus may be Lake Scanno, cultural discoveries in the town, or active days surrounded by the greenery of the Valle del Sagittario.

Lake Scanno as a distinctive focal point of the landscape

Lake Scanno was formed in prehistoric times when a landslide from the Genzana massif dammed the Tasso River. Its unusual shape is now a defining feature of the landscape: the lake has a heart-shaped outline that can be seen from a viewpoint. You can reach this vantage point via the Sentiero del Cuore. The trail thus combines a specific hiking idea with a scenic viewpoint experience, without requiring you to structure your trip around a single activity.

The lake can also be experienced from the water. Canoes can be rented at Lake Scanno. This offers a different perspective on the landscape from that of a hike to the viewpoint. When choosing your accommodation, it may be useful to consider in advance whether you want to spend your stay mainly on walks and trekking, on cultural activities, or on a combination of different experiences by the lake.

Historic Scanno and its architectural details

Scanno’s historic centre has medieval origins. Its architectural heritage includes intricately carved portals and Baroque balconies. These details make the town centre a destination for anyone who wants to discover not only landscapes but also the architecture that has developed over time. The portals and balconies represent different facets of Scanno’s architectural heritage.

The town’s history also includes the Chiesa di Santa Maria dell'Annunziata, also known as Madonna del Lago. It was founded in 1702 on the southern shore of Lake Scanno. A Roman inscription kept in the Museo della Lana is considered evidence that Scanno was already inhabited in Roman times. Together, these traces offer different perspectives on the town’s history: from its Roman past and the medieval origins of the centre to the Baroque elements found in its townscape.

Hiking amid the greenery of the Valle del Sagittario

Scanno lies amid the greenery of the Valle del Sagittario within the Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo. A varied network of trails is suitable for trekking at all experience levels. This provides a basis for planning different types of hiking days: you can choose a route suited to your personal ability or combine your stay with cultural visits and time by the lake.

Those who like to set off on a hike in the morning will look for a different location from someone who mainly wants to explore the historic town centre or combine different activities. As Scanno has no railway station, rail travellers get off in Sulmona and then take a bus to Scanno. This information should also be taken into account when planning your journey, before choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home.

Other destinations for your search

If you would like to compare other destinations in addition to Scanno, here are more places to consider for your trip planning: Mascioni, Spineta, Barrea, Capestrano, Poggio Picenze, Trasacco, Rovere and Barisciano.

For the overview of the wider area: L-Aquila.