Rocca di Mezzo

Rocca di Mezzo is an enchanting town situated in the heart of the Altopiano delle Rocche plateau, between Rocca di Cambio, Rovere, Ovindoli and Terranera. The village is home to the Sirente-Velino Regional Nature Park, and its territory spans a considerable altitude range from 925 to 2,243 metres. It boasts a truly unique historical, natural and gastronomic heritage that attracts visitors year-round.

The origins of Rocca di Mezzo are believed to date back to around 1000 AD when, according to tradition, four shepherd communities united to establish a fortified settlement. The town first fell under Norman rule and then spent centuries under the Kingdom of Naples. Only from the early 1960s onwards did the tourism sector begin to develop here, expanding further in subsequent years with the opening of the Campo Felice and Ovindoli-Monte Magnola ski resorts (part of the Tre Nevi ski area).

It’s worth noting that Rocca di Mezzo’s strategic location, which makes it easily accessible from Rome, means that in summer many people escape the sweltering heat of the cities and seek refuge in this town’s cooler climate.

Skiing at Rocca di Mezzo

Rocca di Mezzo is home to the Campo Felice ski resort, which attracts winter sports enthusiasts during the colder months. Campo Felice boasts nearly 40 km of pistes of varying difficulty levels, cross-country ski runs, a snowpark and a Fun Kids Area for children. The resort is part of the Tre Nevi ski area alongside Ovindoli-Monte Magnola and Campo Imperatore.

Those wishing to ski at Campo Felice can choose from various types of ski pass, including daily passes, multi-day passes and seasonal tickets. Ski passes can be purchased online, at ticket offices or authorized retailers. For those interested, it’s possible to buy the “Skipass dei Parchi” seasonal pass, which allows skiing at Campo Felice, Ovindoli–Monte Magnola and Gran Sasso d’Italia, or the “Skipass Due Nevi” pass for skiing at Campo Felice and Gran Sasso d’Italia.

What to do in summer at Rocca di Mezzo

Rocca di Mezzo is a truly versatile town that attracts visitors throughout the year thanks to its natural, historical and cultural heritage. Whilst winter brings sports enthusiasts who come to ski or pursue winter activities, summer at Rocca di Mezzo offers the chance to organize activities in contact with nature. Located within the Sirente Velino Park and part of the Altopiano delle Rocche plateau, Rocca di Mezzo provides visitors with stays centred on sport, nature, culture and relaxation.

The park is characterized by a wonderful natural environment that hosts important flora and fauna species, charming medieval villages that preserve traces of the past, and archaeological sites featuring towers, castles and ancient buildings that allow you to discover the history of the Marsica region. Here you’ll find itineraries of varying length and difficulty, as well as both cultural-historical and hiking trails.

The village of Rocca di Mezzo

Also simply known as “La Rocca”, Rocca di Mezzo has managed to preserve its medieval charm over time, with ancient stone houses, cobbled alleyways and fascinating small churches. The town, which can be easily explored on foot, comprises an upper section perched on top of Monte San Calvario that houses the oldest part of the village and a more recently constructed lower section.

The Church of Madonna della Neve, situated in the oldest part of town, was originally built in the fifteenth century, though what we see today is the result of renovation work carried out in the eighteenth century. The church was built on the site of an ancient fortress, and the watchtower was converted into the bell tower. It has a Latin cross floor plan, and inside there is a Renaissance-style high altar and sacred furnishings dating from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.

The other zones that make up the village include La Morge, where you’ll find the large pedestrian square that hosts the town hall and the Morge fountains, and the lower section, or outer core, which developed mainly during the twentieth century thanks to strong tourist growth.

The town also features several buildings of great architectural value, including the Town Hall in late classical style and Villa Cidonio, currently home to the Sirente Velino Regional Nature Park. The villa was built between 1925 and 1930 in eclectic Liberty style, evoking forms of Italian Tuscan Renaissance.

Other churches located outside the centre of Rocca di Mezzo but worth visiting include the ancient Church of San Lorenzo, situated in the Terranera hamlet and believed to date from 1180, and the Church of San Leucio located in the pine forest of the same name outside Rocca di Mezzo.

Where to stay at Rocca di Mezzo

Rocca di Mezzo boasts a variety of accommodation options at different price points. From hotels to small bed and breakfasts, all visitors will find the perfect setup for their needs. You can choose between accommodation near the historic centre or options nestled in the peace and quiet of nature.

Recommended hotels in Rocca di Mezzo

How to reach Rocca di Mezzo

Thanks to its location, Rocca di Mezzo is easily accessible by car from the main towns in central Italy. From Rome, take the A24 motorway until the Tornimparte/Campo Felice exit, then take the State Road 696 towards Rocca di Mezzo. From L’Aquila, you can take the S.R. No. 5 Bis (formerly S.S. No. 5 Bis) and then State Road 696. From Pescara, Sulmona and Avezzano, take the A25 motorway until the Aielli-Celano exit, then take State Road 696.

The town is connected via public transport buses to other Abruzzo towns such as L’Aquila and Avezzano, as well as to cities like Rome. The nearest train stations are Celano-Ovindoli and Avezzano.