Colledimezzo: Lake Sangro, Art and Local Traditions

Colledimezzo overlooks Lake Sangro while also offering a historic center, religious art, industrial heritage and local customs. If you are looking for a place for your trip to Italy where water-based activities and cultural interests can be combined, Colledimezzo offers several concrete starting points for doing so.

Lake Sangro and Water-Based Activities

Colledimezzo is located on a promontory to the right of Lake Sangro. The artificial reservoir was created by damming the Sangro River at Bomba and was completed in 1963. The SS 652 Fondo Valle Sangro is the specified road connection for reaching the lake.

At Lake Sangro, you can go canoeing, windsurfing, pedal boating and water skiing; fishing is also one of the activities offered there. The Aquatica center near the lake complements this range with archery. This allows you to combine different forms of time spent by the water with another recreational activity when planning your trip.

Historic Center and Industrial Heritage

The Chiesa di San Giovanni Apostolo ed Evangelista is located in the historic center of Colledimezzo, in a scenic position above the Sangro Valley. The church houses works of art from the 17th century. A 17th-century painting was also discovered and restored in a church in Colledimezzo; it is attributed to Tanzio da Varallo and was dated by Battistella to around 1615.

Near the Church of San Giovanni stands a building known as the Castello, which is traditionally associated with the D’Avalos family. Another side of the town’s history is represented by the marl mines of Colledimezzo: their industrial heritage includes artificial cavities of great historical and technical interest.

Traditions and Local Specialties

The San Giovanni tradition includes preparing Acqua di San Giovanni and the ritual of “cumbaranze e cummaranze.” It is also associated with a walk and the gathering of magical herbs. Sant’Andonje de Jennare takes place on January 17 and is considered in Colledimezzo one of the celebrations that is felt particularly strongly by the local population.

Fave e pecorino is a recurring local event featuring fresh fava beans and local pecorino cheese. The two ingredients also give the event its name and root it in the town’s culinary tradition.

Colledimezzo as a Starting Point for Planning Your Trip

As a place to stay, Colledimezzo provides the setting for a trip that encompasses the lake, historic townscapes, art, local history and customs. This allows you to choose whether to focus your stay on experiences in nature around Lake Sangro or on the town’s cultural features.

Discover More Places

You can also explore Montazzoli (Montazzoli), Tornareccio (Tornareccio), Miglianico (Miglianico), Carunchio (Carunchio), Fallo (Fallo), Atessa (Atessa), Orsogna (Orsogna) and San Martino Sulla Marrucina (San Martino Sulla Marrucina) as additional destinations on your trip to Italy.

For the overarching travel overview: Chieti.