Colleluccio: Hills and Sacred Art

Colleluccio lies in the hills of Atri, overlooking the valley of the River Vomano. This small hamlet combines a distinctive hillside setting with a specific cultural landmark: the Chiesa della Madonna del Carmine. Traditional dishes from the municipality of Notaresco are a culinary highlight, distinguished by their different doughs, fillings and preparation methods. This gives you three points of interest to consider when planning your trip: the hills, sacred art and regional cuisine. You can give these different priorities when choosing a destination and a suitable holiday apartment.

Chapel and Religious Architecture

The Chiesa della Madonna del Carmine is located in the small hamlet of Colleluccio. Inside the chapel, a statue of the Madonna and Child stands in a display case behind the altar; a painting depicts the apparition of the Madonna on Mount Carmel. Both works draw on the same Marian theme, but express it in different ways: the statue portrays the Madonna and Child as figures, while the painting depicts the apparition on Mount Carmel. For travelers interested in culture, these are two clearly identifiable motifs that offer insight into the chapel’s religious art.

A few engravings featuring religious symbols are still visible on the surviving main building of the former monastery complex. This architectural detail differs from the chapel’s works of art: a statue and a painting take center stage there, while religious motifs appear as engravings on the main building. This offers a specific point of comparison for understanding the site’s cultural heritage: visual art alongside architectural detail. Visitors interested not only in depicted figures but also in a building’s design will find the engravings an additional point of interest. The surviving symbols provide a visible trace of the former monastery complex’s history.

Dishes from the Municipality of Notaresco

The traditional cuisine of the municipality of Notaresco includes dishes made with different ingredients and prepared in different ways. The difference between Timballo di scrippelle notareschino and the Teramo version lies in how it is assembled: the filling is placed inside the crêpes, which are then rolled up and arranged in a baking dish. This preparation distinguishes the Notaresco version from the Teramo version and gives the dish its own form.

Patellette are a type of maltagliati made from corn flour. The dough is prepared with lukewarm water, and the pasta is served with sugo finto. Alongside the filled crêpes, this is a corn-flour pasta dish in which the dough and sauce provide a different culinary accent. Gallotta adds another option, made with chicken and lean ground veal. Its filling includes, among other things, hard-boiled egg, frittatine and olives. Taken together, the dishes showcase different approaches: rolled crêpes, corn-flour maltagliati with sugo finto, and a meat dish with several filling ingredients. The comparison with Teramo is particularly informative for the timballo, since the difference lies specifically in how it is prepared.

Choose a Holiday Apartment Based on Your Interests

If the landscape is your main priority, Colleluccio’s hillside setting and views over the Vomano Valley are distinctive features of the area. If you are more interested in religious art, you can consider the chapel’s statue and painting as cultural highlights. The dishes belong to the culinary tradition of the municipality of Notaresco and offer a separate area of interest. Think about which of these interests will shape your trip and which you would like to explore as well.

Discover More Destinations

Mosciano Sant'angelo, Nereto, Silvi Paese, Sant'omero, Valle San Giovanni, Roseto Degli Abruzzi, Castilenti, Penna Alta

For the broader travel overview: Teramo.