Discover Corvara

Corvara combines an impressive setting with an unusually rich local history. The town lies on a rocky spur at the foot of Monte Aquileio in Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park, in the province of Pescara. Anyone planning a trip to Corvara can combine historical traces, a distinctive landscape and a hike with far-reaching views here.

Between the old and new settlements

The oldest part of Corvara can only be reached on foot via a long staircase. This distinctive feature is an integral part of the character of the town and should be taken into account when planning your day. The old settlement centre was abandoned after the 1933 earthquake; the new settlement was built further downhill. When choosing accommodation, the way you want to structure your day is therefore a useful starting point: Should the historic town centre be the main focus, or would you prefer to get to know Corvara primarily as a base for experiencing the landscape?

The medieval village preserves house walls that served as fortifications. The stone houses are called “Pagliare” and were also used as stables for pack animals. These traces reveal how closely living, protection and life in the village in earlier times were interconnected. For families, this can become an engaging tour of discovery, where history is visible not only in dates, but also in walls and buildings.

Churches and historical evidence

Corvara offers several religious and archaeological points of interest. From the Church of Sant’Andrea Apostolo in the old settlement centre, the bell tower, spire and part of the apse have survived. The medieval Church of Santa Maria di Costantinopoli preserves a stone portal attributed to a stonemason of the Casaurian tradition. At the foot of Corvara is also the rock church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, which dates from the 16th century.

The town’s secular history also reaches far back. Corvara was developed into a castle in 985 and became known as “La Corvara”. The antipope Nicholas V was born in Corvara in 1258. The historical and cultural remains also include the ruins of a presumably Roman temple. Those interested in different eras will therefore find several themes that can be combined during a stay, without reducing Corvara to a single historical chapter.

The town’s cultural calendar includes Madonna del Sacro Cuore, Corvara’s patronal festival on 1 and 2 July. This date may play a role in your personal travel planning. At the same time, Corvara remains a destination outside this occasion for anyone wishing to discover old settlement structures, churches and historical remains in a distinctive landscape.

Hike to Colle Rotondo

For an active complement to the local history, a hike from Corvara to Colle Rotondo is a good option. The route takes around two hours there and back. Colle Rotondo lies at an altitude of 946 metres and offers views across the Pescara Valley and the Maiella. Families can combine visits to historic sites and the hike according to their own interests and the time available.

The right base for your trip

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Corvara, it is worth first organising the experiences you have planned. The long staircase to the oldest settlement area, the historic churches, the ruins and the hike to Colle Rotondo each place different emphasis on your trip. Accommodation should therefore suit the itinerary you wish to follow during your days in Corvara. This leaves room for culture, landscapes and your own discoveries, without replacing the town’s distinctive features with a generic excursion programme.

For more ideas in the area, you can also explore Tocco Da Casauria, Abbateggio, Serramonacesca, Vicoli, Moscufo, Manoppello, Castiglione A Casauria and Popoli.

For the overarching travel overview: Pescara.