Tempera: Mills, Nature and Traditions

Tempera brings together a long history of using water power, paths through the Abruzzo landscape and local festival traditions. This district of L’Aquila is especially interesting if you don’t want to treat cultural history and nature as separate travel themes: mills and workshops recall earlier trades, while paths along the Sorgenti del Vera take you to riverbanks, cultural landscapes and opportunities for birdwatching.

Mills and Water-Powered Crafts

From the 15th century onwards, small businesses and industries powered by water developed in Tempera. Three fulling mills were operating here until the beginning of the 20th century; they were later demolished to make room for other buildings. Papermaking is also part of the area’s history: production at the old paper mill is recorded in a notarial deed from 1717. Until the mid-20th century, a complex in Tempera housed a grain-sorting plant, a watermill and a copper workshop.

A cultural and nature trail run by FAI includes the mill building with its grain-sorting plant, considered a modern use of an old craft building. Next to the mill building is the Rameria, a historic copper workshop. The trail also includes the Mulino Gasbarri, associated with the traditional craft of milling and featuring three surviving millstones. Together, these different stops reveal the variety of work done in the past, from grinding and sorting grain to working copper.

Paths between the River and the Cultural Landscape

There are paths with a range of different focuses for outdoor activities. Sentiero 1 (green) is a 1.2-kilometre circular route in the northern part of Tempera. It is recommended for mountain biking and trekking, and for snowshoeing when there is snow. Its character is shaped by a dry cultural landscape typical of the Abruzzo mountains; historic dry-stone walls can be seen along some sections. The route starts at an unpaved parking area opposite the village cemetery.

Sentiero 2 “Panoramico” (red) is an approximately 2.1-kilometre circular route through the northern part of Tempera. It is recommended for mountain biking, roller skating and walks. Sentiero 3 (blue) is in the heart of the Riserva Naturale Regionale Sorgenti del Vera and is recommended for hiking and birdwatching. Black poplars and white willows grow along its riverbanks, which are also lined with ivy. Sentiero Fiume is also recommended for hiking and birdwatching.

The Sorgenti del Vera and Their Features

The approximately 30-hectare Riserva Naturale Regionale Sorgenti del Vera borders directly on the built-up centre of Tempera and was established in 1983. Several waterfalls at the springs of the Vera shape a wild and impressive landscape. The river is also home to the endemic stonefly relative Taeniopteryx mercuryi, which occurs only in a very limited area. If you plan to explore paths in this natural area, you can use the reserve’s app, which provides information about any paths that may be closed.

Festivals and Local Traditions

Festivals in Tempera include religious customs and community events. The Festa della Trota is considered a long-standing occasion especially valued by the local community and is promoted by Pro Loco Radici di Tempera. During the event, local trout specialities, as well as fried pizza, arrosticini and sausage, are served. The festival thus combines food with local tradition.

Another patron-saint tradition is dedicated to Saint Blaise. According to tradition, the religious procession passes through the lanes of Tempera, with a large fennel ring hung at the foot of the saint’s statue. According to local tradition, a savoury, bread-like leavened ring with fennel seeds is also prepared for the community and then distributed. A glimpse of more recent festival history comes from 2025: the Festa di Santa Maria delle Grazie was celebrated on 14 September. During the festival at the Madonna delle Grazie chapel, a collection of Miraculous Medals and a relic of Saint Catherine Labouré were displayed; the festival also included a workshop on making beeswax candles. Part of the Madonnina is regularly displayed in the chapel.

When searching for a holiday apartment, you can choose Tempera based on which side of the area you want your trip to revolve around: mill and craft history, paths for trekking and nature observation, or local festival culture.

More destinations: Aielli, Monticchio, Pratola Peligna, Civitella Alfedena, Avezzano, Santi, Rocca Di Cambio and Sulmona.

For the main travel overview: L-Aquila.