Discover Santa Maria

Santa Maria combines church history with a route through the landscape. On a hill in the Santa Maria hamlet of Basciano stands the church of Santa Maria a Porto Lungo: a Romanesque building from the 14th century, built on an ancient pagan temple. This connection makes the church a clear focal point for culturally minded travelers and gives the area a history that extends beyond the medieval building. The Bascialonga route leads from Basciano to the church and onward through the landscape; this allows architectural history and physical activity to be considered as distinct focuses for a trip.

The church and historical traces

The church of Santa Maria a Porto Lungo is also known as “fuori le mura.” The name adds to the building’s designation, while its construction history opens up a second time scale: a coin from the 14th century, found beneath the old flooring, is considered the only recorded trace of the church’s past. The construction and the find therefore date from the same century, but describe two different aspects—the creation of the church building and a specific archaeological discovery. A prehistoric grave was also discovered in Santa Maria.

From Basciano into the landscape

The Bascialonga leaves Basciano’s historic center and leads to the church of Santa Maria a Porto Lungo. From there, the route passes through fields and side roads into the Castel Cerreto nature reserve. The sequence connects the town center, the church building, and the natural area; it highlights the difference between a cultural-historical focus and the experience of the route. The 2025 Bascialonga covered ten kilometers. At the tasting stops during the 2025 Bascialonga, typical specialties from Abruzzo and Montonico wine were offered.

Panoramas and trip planning

Basciano also plays a part in the landscape: the municipality enjoys panoramic views of Gran Sasso and the Vomano Valley. Here, the focus is on the sweeping views of the mountains and valley; by contrast, the Bascialonga offers the perspective of a route through fields and side roads to the nature reserve.

When looking for a holiday apartment, it helps to decide first what you want to focus on: should your trip be primarily about the Romanesque church and its historical connections, or would you like to include the Bascialonga and its scenic route? The ten kilometers of the 2025 edition give the route a concrete scale; the church and historical finds provide a cultural focus. This way, you can choose a holiday apartment location based on the interests that matter most during your stay. Check the location details for each listing against your travel plans, especially if you want to combine both focuses.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Civitella Del Tronto, Colleranesco, Montorio Al Vomano, Silvi, Ancarano, Martinsicuro, Isola del Gran Sasso D'italia, Villa Vomano.

Go to the main travel overview: Teramo.