Donna Matilde
Pescocostanzo - via carlo sabatini 6
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A member of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy” club, Pescocostanzo is a neat and well-maintained village located within the Maiella National Park. The town sits at an altitude of 1,395 metres and is renowned as one of Abruzzo’s most important and well-equipped ski destinations; however, thanks to its stunning natural heritage, Pescocostanzo also attracts visitors during the summer season.
Nestled at the foot of Monte Calvario (1,743 metres) and part of the Alto Sangro mountain community and the Cinquemiglia plateau, Pescocostanzo offers the opportunity to arrange a stay centred around sport, nature, culture and relaxation.
The town is believed to have emerged around the 10th century and, according to various sources, by the 11th century it fell under the control of the Abbey of Monte Cassino. Pescocostanzo held a truly strategic position along the famous “Via degli Abruzzi” trade route. Its location, combined with strong demand from the local merchant class, persuaded several Lombard master craftsmen to settle in these territories.
Ironwork and goldsmithing were among the most widely practised crafts, which made the town particularly renowned. Today, the old town centre is represented by an ancient village of great charm, characterised by cobbled streets, churches, noble palaces and artisan workshops producing traditional local goods.
Pescocostanzo – Vallefura is a ski area that stretches across the slopes of Monte Calvario and offers ski runs of varying lengths and difficulty levels. Wide descents with variable gradients alternate with panoramic sections and steeper runs suited to more experienced skiers. Pescocostanzo also features a large snowpark, comprising three lines and seven terraces, along with numerous off-piste routes.
The offering is completed by a children’s area with games, slides and a snowtubing course for the youngest visitors, plus two ski schools. Finally, Pescocostanzo offers not only numerous opportunities for ski touring but also several trails for snowshoe enthusiasts.
Pescocostanzo is part of the Alto Sangro ski area, which encompasses five ski resorts in the province of L’Aquila: Barrea, Pescasseroli, Roccaraso, Rivisondoli and Pescocostanzo itself. Alto Sangro boasts 110 km of groomed slopes, snowboard pistes, three cross-country skiing loops (ranging from 5–10–15 km), as well as snowkiting opportunities.
The Pescocostanzo – Vallefura ski station offers various ski-pass options. From seasonal passes to daily tickets, multi-day passes to hourly cards: every skier can purchase the pass that best suits their needs.
Since Pescocostanzo is part of the Alto Sangro ski area, which comprises five ski resorts, those purchasing an Alto Sangro ski pass have access to many more downhill and cross-country skiing runs.
Pescocostanzo is a truly versatile destination that can be visited year-round. During winter, many enthusiasts head to this location for skiing, whilst in summer Pescocostanzo offers a range of activities that allow you to connect with nature. Many choose to escape the heat of the cities to enjoy Pescocostanzo’s fresh mountain air and experience the great outdoors surrounded by greenery.
This location is a true paradise for those who love hiking on foot, mountain biking or horse riding. MTB, Enduro and Downhill enthusiasts can have fun at the Bike Park with a spectacular Flipper Line. For younger visitors, there’s also a children’s park.
Pescocostanzo is best explored on foot to appreciate the village in all its beauty. The town’s symbol is undoubtedly the Basilica of Santa Maria del Colle, which is the result of several reconstruction works carried out between the 15th and 16th centuries. The religious building features five naves separated by square pillars supporting rounded arches. Inside, you can admire splendid wooden ceilings and the altarpiece of Santa Caterina created by Tanzio da Varallo.
Also worth visiting is the Church of Madonna delle Grazie, which dates back to the early 16th century. Inside is a wooden altar from 1596 that houses a canvas depicting the Virgin of Suffrage.
The heart of the village is characterised by restaurants and bars serving local cuisine made with local produce, as well as artisan workshops where traditional crafts, often ancient in origin, are still practised. Among the most appreciated artisanal products are lace-making, furniture production and wrought-iron work.
Several historic palaces are also worth visiting, such as Palazzo Fanzago located in Piazza del Municipio and designed in 1624 by Cosimo Fanzago, and Palazzo Grilli built by the Grilli family in the 17th century. Finally, you can also visit two beautiful hermitages located outside the town centre: the Hermitage of Sant’Antonio di Padova and the Hermitage of San Michele.
Pescocostanzo boasts many quality accommodation facilities with excellent value for money. The variety of available lodgings makes it possible to meet the needs of different types of visitors. Given both the wide range of activities offered and the high standard of services, Pescocostanzo is one of the best destinations to stay, and we recommend booking your accommodation in advance. Just metres from the ski lifts is Hotel Vallefura, an ideal facility for those wanting to fully enjoy the mountain environment whilst remaining close to the town centre.
Pescocostanzo is easily accessible by car from the main cities in central and southern Italy. From Naples, take the A1 motorway to the Caianello exit, then continue along the SP85 and subsequently the SS17; from Rome, you can take the A25 to the Pratola Peligna – Sulmona exit and then the State Road 17 for approximately 48 km. From L’Aquila, the town is accessible via State Road 17.
Those wishing to reach the town by train can do so via Pescocostanzo-Rivisondoli railway station. Local bus services connect the town to other Abruzzo destinations including Sulmona, Castel di Sangro and Roccaraso. The nearest airport is Abruzzo Airport, located in Pescara, approximately 106 km from Pescocostanzo.
What's the weather at Pescocostanzo? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Pescocostanzo for the next few days.
The village of Pescocostanzo sits within the Majella National Park, approximately 105 km from L'Aquila, 198 km from Rome and 145 km from Naples.
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