Discover Alanno: Nature, History and Local Specialties

Alanno combines traces of history, special natural areas and regional specialties to create a diverse travel destination. Vineyards and olive groves characterize the landscape around the town. In the historic center, towers, alleyways and churches tell the story of the past, while the WWF Oasi Lago di Alanno-Piano d’Orta reveals a completely different side of the municipality. This allows you to shape your trip according to your interests, combining nature observation, culture and culinary discoveries.

Nature around Lago di Alanno

The WWF Oasi Lago di Alanno-Piano d’Orta covers a total of 160 hectares in the areas of Alanno, Torre de' Passeri, Bolognano and Scafa. Three interconnected biotopes characterize the protected area: the river basin, a reed bed and the surrounding hills. The wetlands are particularly important for numerous waterbird species. These include, among others, Eurasian teals, mallards, pochards, moorhens, little grebes and coots. The yellow iris, Iris pseudacorus, is considered the symbol of the Oasi.

The Oasi del Lago di Alanno is a 38-hectare natural area surrounding an artificial lake. The lake was created by a dam on the Pescara River; the area lies within the municipalities of Alanno, Bolognano, Scafa and Torre de' Passeri. To reach this Oasi, the A25 Roma–Pescara motorway with the Alanno-Scafa exit is indicated. If nature observation is part of your travel plans, you can consider which location would best support your planned excursions when searching for a holiday apartment, without committing to a specific accommodation or distance.

Historic Center with Towers and Churches

The medieval historic center of Alanno is elongated and was originally surrounded by defensive walls. Three distinctive towers shape its appearance: two square towers and one round tower. A network of small alleyways is known as “le rue.” The remains of the city-wall bastions and the castle tower can be visited. The round defensive tower dates from the 14th century and probably belonged to a fortified wall that enclosed the historic center.

The Church of the Assumption stands in the center and has an interior with three naves. The Church of San Francesco and the adjoining monastery dedicated to Saint Ludovicus date from the late 13th or early 14th century. The Oratory of Santa Maria delle Grazie is traditionally associated with a miraculous apparition from 1498. The Church of Maria Santissima del Carmine is closed to the public; this information should therefore be taken into account when making realistic cultural plans.

Festivals, Cuisine and Local Impressions

The Fiera dell’Agricoltura e dell’Artigianato di Alanno is an annual three-day festival. The event includes tastings of olive oil and wine. The local cuisine also offers clear points of interest for a trip: Alanno’s specialties include Anellini alla pecorara and Sagne e ceci.

Another traditional feature is the Pastorella. Every year, on the night of December 12 to 13, it moves through various areas and streets of the municipality of Alanno. Such established parts of local life make the choice of travel period an important personal decision. Those who want to experience regional traditions can take the dates into account when planning; those primarily seeking nature and historic architecture can arrange their stay independently of them.

Alanno as a Starting Point for Planning Your Trip

When choosing a holiday apartment in Alanno, it is worth first determining your preferred travel rhythm. Nature enthusiasts can focus on the Oasi and the landscape of vineyards and olive groves. For culture enthusiasts, the historic center, towers, churches and remains of the fortifications take center stage. The combination of independent day planning, regional cuisine and different areas of interest makes Alanno a destination that cannot be reduced to a single travel idea.

If you would like to compare other destinations with Alanno, you can find additional destination pages for Roccamorice, Tocco Da Casauria, Civitella Casanova, Bolognano, Manoppello, Pescosansonesco Nuovo, Farindola and Manoppello Scalo.

For the higher-level travel overview: Pescara.