Pescasseroli Favorite Tips by sandysmith

The newer town

Favorite thing: The newer part of town - across the main square toward the river is more residential.
The roads are wider but still has washing hanging out by the roadside! Guess they don't have much traffic.

Fondest memory: On Wednesday mornings these streets are taken over by the weekly market - we had a brief glimpse before going on a hiking trip - the usual italian goods were available, clothes, shoes and leather bags etc...

Hike to the castel

Favorite thing: There are castle ruins just above the town - reached by a pleasand short hike - enough in the heat anyway!

Fondest memory: I just enjoyed sitting up here - getting the best view over the town and the surrounding hills.
For more info on this and the views see the off the beaten path section.

Doorway Detail

Favorite thing: ..a close-up view of an old arched doorway in the old town.

Old Town Streets II

Favorite thing: This scene is typical - steps up to arched doorways, balconies with flowers and washing hanging out. In August these homes become shops and it must be so much busier then -- but I much prefer it like this.

Old town streets III

Favorite thing: This row of stone houses is near the path at the back of town leading up to the castle ruins.

Balcony flowers

Fondest memory: A close-up of a beautiful flower be-decked balcony in the old town.

Old town streets I

Favorite thing: Wandering around the old town's cobblled streets and admiring the quaint rustic architecture - the arched doorways and balconies overspilling with colourful flowers.
This road is at the beginning of the Churches road.

Commune of Pescasseroli

Favorite thing: The village is fairly small with about 1500 inhabitant and and 35 tourists when we were there in June. Apparently the numbers swell in August when the italians from the city of Rome come to the cooler mountains here. So its not easy to get lost here - the old town is on the right hand side ..but just in case here's the town map ;-)

A Tragic Tale of Pescasseroli's name

Favorite thing: Cesido Gentile, a poet shepherd tells the tragic story of how Pescasseroli got its name:
A young crusader knight Serol met the beautiful Pesca in Palestina, falls in love and marries her. He sent his bride to Castel Mancino to stay with his father the Count Maracino, lord of the castle. The father however became besotted with Pesca, and during her escape from his clutches she drowned herself in a well. Eventually Serolo returned from the crusade (an unusual feat in itself) and learning of his wife's gory death he died of grief. To atone for his sins the old count builds the town called Pescasseroli by the union of Pesca and Serolo.

Park Headquarters

Favorite thing: Located in the high valley of Sangro (1167 meters), this village is the most important center of the National Park of Abruzzo and it is where the headquarters are found. The Natural Science and Folklore Museum and a zoo with typical animals of the park are within the grounds of the headquarters. It is also the birthplace of the great philosopher, Benedetto Croce.