Penne: Old Town, Crypt and Lago di Penne

Penne combines a historic centre with special nature experiences around Lago di Penne. If you are planning a trip that gives equal space to culture and landscape, you can base your choice of holiday apartment on these two sides of the town. The historic centre stretches across two hills and offers numerous points of interest for an exploratory tour, including aristocratic palaces, churches and monasteries, city gates, historic fountains and museums.

Historic Penne with exceptional buildings

One of the most impressive interiors is the crypt of the Duomo di San Massimo. Four ancient marble columns and extensively painted areas define its character. The crypt is also considered one of the rare examples of Italian architecture dating from before the year 1000. Anyone interested in older architectural history will find a particularly striking point of reference here in Penne.

The Chiesa di San Domenico also tells the story of several eras: it dates from the 13th century and has a Baroque interior. The adjoining cloister was built in 1330 in the former Dominican monastery. At the Porta San Francesco, a memorial plaque commemorates Saint Francis's visit to Penne in 1216; the gate itself is built entirely of brick. Details like these make it possible to shape your stay not only around individual sights, but also around the historic traces found throughout the town.

Lago di Penne and regional nature

A different focus is offered by the WWF Lago di Penne Oasis. It is both a regional reserve and a Site of Community Importance, or Special Area of Conservation, with the code IT7130214. The protected area is located in the municipality of Penne (PE). Through the Riserva Naturale Regionale Lago di Penne, Penne is also an access point to the Parco nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga.

The paths of the Riserva Naturale Regionale Lago di Penne are easy to walk. They consist of unpaved surfaces or wooden boardwalks and are largely suitable for people with motor disabilities as well. This landscape therefore offers a practical alternative to the historic impressions of the town centre when planning your day. A canoe trip in a Canadian canoe on Lago di Penne also provides an opportunity to observe the local flora and fauna.

The Museo Naturalistico “De Leone” is also well worth a visit. It presents traditional Vestine arts, including ceramics and woodwork. A diorama about the otter, as well as two aquariums with river and lake environments, broaden the view of the region's nature. Depending on the day of your trip, you can combine historic interiors, regional craftsmanship and nature observation.

Getting there and choosing your holiday destination

For travel by public transport, the nearest railway station is Pescara Centrale. From there, Penne can be reached by the Pescara-Penne suburban bus route. This information may play a role when looking for accommodation in Penne if you want to plan your trip around the available connection.

The main reasons to choose a holiday apartment in Penne are the different possible daily rhythms: you can focus on the buildings and museums of the historic centre, include Lago di Penne with its paths and canoeing opportunities in your plans, or combine both themes.

Discover more places in the surrounding area

If you would like to extend your trip beyond Penne, you can find further destinations here for orientation: Castiglione A Casauria, Farindola, Torre De' Passeri, Catignano, Case D'amico, Citta' Sant'angelo, Civitella Casanova and Manoppello. This allows you to consider Penne as the starting point for further trip planning and then decide which place best suits your preferred mix of culture, nature and regional discovery.

For the overarching travel overview: Pescara.