Capestrano, 465m above sea level, is a borgo dating to the Middle Ages situated on a hill overlooking the Valle del Tirino. It is an entrance way to the southern part of Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga. Close by are the archaeological site of Aufinum and the necropolis where Abruzzo’s most symbolic archaeological find was discovered: the Warrior of Capestrano, a limestone funerary statue from 6th century BCE, is today on display in the Archaeological museum of Chieti.
The village conserves many architectural reminders of the past including the mysterious Medieval Church of San Pietro ad Oratorium in the open countryside, famous for the enigmatic square embedded into the facade with the 5 line inscription sator arepo tenet opera rotas a palindrome from all angles. The extraordinary Piccolomini Castle (1485), one of the most important fortified complexes in Abruzzo now owned by the municipality, and the Convent of St. Francis (15th century), founded by St. Giovanni da Capestrano are also worthy of note.
A little below the tributaries of the Tirino river is the reservoir of Capo d'Acqua. Two mills and a dyeing workshop dating to the Middle Ages were submerged when the lake was created. The workshop can be seen on the surface while the two mills are deep in the waters, their excellent state of conservation creates a fascinating and mysterious underwater landscape that attracts divers from all over the world.
Film Commission d'Abruzzo
Centro Regionale Beni Culturali - Sulmona
Phone: + 39 0864 576303
Email: crbc@regione.abruzzo.it
