Cerchiara: Roman traces and village history

Cerchiara combines a long history with traces of Roman roads and the landscape around Gran Sasso. If you are looking for a holiday apartment here, you can shape your stay around village history, sacred sites and hiking. The contrast between historical landmarks in the village and archaeological traces in the surrounding area offers different perspectives: you can focus on churches and old settlement names or make Roman roads and viewpoints the centre of your visit.

Roman history in the landscape

Criscaria, now known as Cerchiara, is one of the oldest places in the Valle Siciliana. Cerchiara was once the seat of a Roman centurion because the historic Via Ceciliana ran through the village. The settlement’s history and a Roman road connection thus come together in the history of the village.

On the route from Cerchiara to the Piana di San Valentino stands the Chiesa di San Valentino. The Romanesque building was erected in 1324 on the site of an ancient pagan temple. This layering of time—a temple and a medieval church—gives the building a distinctive place in history. The Piana di San Valentino, located between Isola del Gran Sasso and Cerchiara, is also crossed by a Roman road that probably climbed towards Vado di Corno.

The circular walks also follow this history. One follows a Roman road paved with stone slabs and passes an ancient milestone that marked one mile. The Isola del Gran Sasso–San Valentino–Cerchiara circular walk uses trail no. 208 and follows the route of the Via Ceciliana. The ruins of the Chiesa di San Valentino lie in the Piana di Cerchiara, known as ancient Crisarica. There are two possible starting points for the Cerchiara–Fonte Chiavatteri route: via Via di Fonte Carbone, beside the church, or via Via del Risorgimento and then Via della Montagna. Check local conditions for your chosen route before setting out.

The Trail della Valle Siciliana offers a different perspective on the landscape. A steep track leads behind the church in Cerchiara to pastures and clearings. From there, you can take in views of the Paretone del Gran Sasso and the Valle Siciliana. The steepness of the track is a specific factor to consider when planning this outing.

Churches and places of worship

The Chiesa dei Santi Maria del Caldarolo e Valentino stands at the end of the main street, among the village’s oldest houses. Madonna delle Masserie lies at the foot of Gran Sasso and is a place for prayer and meditation. A small niche contains a statue of the Madonna; beneath it, a simple stone altar recalls the sacred nature of the place. The two sites offer different ways to explore Cerchiara’s village history and religious traditions.

There is a picnic area at Masserie di Cerchiara. The picnic area at Castello di Cerchiara has two fenced-in monoblock units and a telescope. As facilities may change, check their condition before your visit.

Festivals and planning your day

The Festa della Madonna degli Angeli is an annual tradition held in Cerchiara on 2 August. Check the exact dates and programme before your trip. The festival date can serve as a guide, while churches, Roman traces and walking routes offer other ways to plan your time in the village.

Choose your holiday apartment based on what you want to do each day

When choosing a holiday apartment, it helps to start by considering which experiences you want to shape your stay: village history around the churches, archaeological traces along the routes, or the views on the Trail della Valle Siciliana. If a particular walk is your main focus, take its specific starting point into account when planning your accommodation. The routes mentioned here have different starting points and characteristics, so considering your planned activities can help you find a suitable location for your stay. If you want to combine culture and activity, you can plan the historical sites and hiking options as different highlights for each day.

Discover more destinations: Montorio Al Vomano, Canzano, Morro D'oro, Sant'omero, Cologna Spiaggia, Martinsicuro, Civitella Del Tronto, Cesi.

For the wider travel overview: Teramo.