Discover Civitaquana: Poetry, History and Hilly Landscapes

Civitaquana combines an elevated position above the Nora River valley with cultural discoveries, poetry projects, and traces of history. From the hill, the Maiella massif is visible. At the same time, the history of the town leads to churches, noble residences, and evidence of early waterworks. Those planning a trip with varied ideas for each day will find a place where landscapes, architecture, literature, and regional cuisine stand side by side.

Churches, Palace and History

An important point of interest in the town's history is Santa Maria delle Grazie. The church was founded by Benedictines in the second half of the 12th century. Its floor plan is Lombard in style and has three naves. Santa Maria delle Grazie also preserves a relief dating from the 12th century. This means the building offers several historical details to look out for during a tour of Civitaquana, without the trip having to depend solely on a single sight.

Palazzo Leognani Castriota is also part of the town's cultural character. The building dates from the 18th century. Another glimpse into the past leads to the Castle of Civitaquana: in 1269, Sordello da Goito received it from Charles I of Anjou and ruled over it. Traces of large cisterns have also come to light beneath the Colle Quinzio plain. Outside the area of Civitaquana, ancient underground aqueducts from Roman times were discovered. These clues make the town's history particularly varied, as they bring together ecclesiastical, noble, and technical aspects.

Poetry in the Open Air

The Viale della Poesia offers a distinctive aspect of the town. This permanent open-air route runs along Civitaquana's double avenue of lime trees. Each year, the Viale is expanded with an installation dedicated to the work of the poet who received the career award. In 2026, the “Civitaquana Borgo della Poesia” project entered its second edition. For families and other travel groups, this creates a cultural walk in which not only buildings but also literature and the character of the town play a role.

Civitaquana is also incorporated into the section “Le dolci colline tra il Gran Sasso e il mare” of the “Cammino delle grandi Abbazie e dei luoghi sacri del Pescarese”. This connection adds a broader travel and landscape perspective to the stay. You can therefore decide for yourself whether your plans should focus more on the town's history, the Viale della Poesia, or its place within this section of the route.

Events and Regional Cuisine

The literary focus also includes the first edition of the National “CivitaquanaPoesia” Prize, promoted by the Fondazione Pescarabruzzo together with the Municipality of Civitaquana. During the Festival dell'Olio, guided tours accompanied visitors to the Chiesa benedettina della Beata Vergine Maria delle Grazie. The fifth edition of the Festival dell'Olio was announced for November 16 in Civitaquana. This information describes an announcement and should be checked against the dates when planning your own trip.

Culinary discoveries can also be included: in Civitaquana, there is a cooking workshop on the traditional preparation of the Abruzzese sweet treats Neole and Tarallo. Those who would like to get to know regional specialties alongside culture and landscapes can take this aspect into account when choosing their travel dates and accommodation.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Travel Plans?

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Civitaquana, it is worth deciding on your preferred focus first. If the trip is primarily intended to focus on historic buildings and the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the priorities will differ from those of a plan centered around poetry, landscapes, and the Viale della Poesia. If you are traveling with children, you can consciously alternate cultural visits, time spent outdoors, and regional cuisine. You can then choose suitable accommodation according to your personal requirements and the area in which you would like to spend your stay.

Other Places at This Level

For your further selection, you can also take a look at Pietranico, Cappelle Sul Tavo, Abbateggio, Cepagatti, Serramonacesca, Lettomanoppello, Collemezzano and Manoppello.

To the higher-level travel overview: Pescara.